Speaking on Friday morning, health secretary James Murray said Widdecombe "was never shy of having quite firm views and sharing them quite willingly".

"I can't say I always agreed with her views, but she was such a part of our politics," the Labour minister told Times Radio, adding "everyone can recognise the contribution that she made to politics" and public life.

In a statement, her agent Cloud 9 Management said her life and career were "driven by her strong Christian values and commitment to public service".

They added that Widdecombe loved the "cut and thrust of political debate" and despite leaving Parliament 16 years ago, was "still actively campaigning for Reform UK".

"For many, of course, she will be best (or worst?) remembered for her unforgettable appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, defying the judges week-after-week as the public delighted in her unsuccessful attempts to follow the choreography of the long-suffering Anton Du Beke," the statement went on to say.

The former Tory minister became a favourite with viewers when she appeared on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.

One judge likened her to a "Dalek in drag" but her popularity with the audience took her to the semi-finals.

She described her 10 weeks on the show as "magnificent" and life-enhancing".

During her parliamentary career, Widdecombe, a staunch Catholic, often sparked controversy due to her socially conservative views, including opposing abortion and comments about the LGBT community.

In 2019, the former minister received backlash after suggesting science might one day "produce an answer" to being gay.

In the 1990s she converted to Catholicism, a move she later described as the best decision she ever made.

She told The Times newspaper: "To have a church which calls a sin a sin and has done with it is a blessed relief."

During her political career, faced cruel comments about her appearance, with newspapers calling her "Doris Karloff", a reference to the old Hollywood horror movie star, Boris Karloff.

However, she breezily dismissed the jibes saying: "I am toothy, dumpy, ugly, overweight, a spinster – what the hell."