Ann Widdecombe

A year on from her unlikely, if brief, triumph as viewers’ favourite on Strictly Come Dancing, Ann Widdecombe is returning to Saturday night prime-time TV.



The former Home Office minister has just signed up for a special celebrity series of the ITV1 quiz show The Chase which is moving to a new 6.00pm Saturday slot on October 29.



A regular with Clive Conway Celebrity Productions, she next appears in An Audience With Ann Widdecombe at the Swansea Grand Theatre on Thursday November 10 when she will be in conversation with irrepressible political blogger and broadcaster Iain Dale.



A larger than life character with a reputation for not suffering fools gladly, Miss Widdecombe has taken to post-political life as an author and freelance celebrity with some gusto.



Last year she managed to stay in Strictly Come Dancing for 10 astonishing weeks despite having no apparent ability as a dancer. She was finally voted out after judge Bruno Tonioli said her ballroom technique made her look like "a Dalek in drag".



Undeterred, she will find herself under close scrutiny again in The Chase. This time she’ll be pitting her wits against general knowledge genius The Chaser and other celebrities including Eamonn Holmes, Michelle Collins and Alex James from Blur who will compete in a breakneck bid to win £1,000 for their chosen charities.



*An Audience With Ann Widdecombe is at the Swansea Grand Theatre on Thursday November 10