Ann Widdecombe's final TV appearance before her death aged 78

Ann Widdecombe made her final television appearance on TalkTV on Wednesday morning, 24 hours before her death at the age of 78. The former Conservative politician appeared via video link at just after 8am to defend Reform leader Nigel Farage amid ongoing scrutiny of financial support he and his outfit had received.

During the 12-minute interview segment, Widdecombe expressed her total support for the Reform leader, rejecting the suggestion that a by-election in his Essex constituency was student politics or pantomime. "No it's very serious politics t's up to the other parties whether they stand or not We know why they re not they re threatened They know darn well they can't beat Nigel They don't want to spend their resources campaigning and all the rest of it when they know they can't beat him," she told the programme.

The television host who conducted the interview reflected on their final conversation. "Ann's last on-air appearance on my Talk breakfast show was like every other. She had her usual energy passion and good humour. She was a conviction politician who did not suffer fools gladly and remained remarkably consistent over a long career," the host said.

Widdecombe was a regular on Talk breakfast. "Based on her last appearance you could see she was fit and well had so much more living to do and so much more to contribute to public life," the host observed. "It's devastating to think that as I signed off that interview and wished her well it would be the last time we would speak."

Though no longer a frontline politician, Widdecombe remained active in public life, appearing regularly on radio and television, writing a weekly column and campaigning for Reform UK. She was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday morning after sustaining serious injuries.