Grieving Ann Widdecombe dances on

Grieving Ann Widdecombe has pledged to carry on with Strictly Come Dancing because her late brother loved the show so much.

The former MP said her niece would be in the audience tonight, spurring her on when she performs her quickstep tonight on the BBC1 show.

Ms Widdecombe's retired clergyman brother, Malcolm, died earlier this week after battling cancer.

Yesterday she said: "One of his last acts of consciousness was to turn towards the screen while I was performing what is purported to be a salsa last week.They're adamant they want me to do it, so I'm going to do it.

"Actually his daughter will be in the audience because the family are adamant I should dance. He so enjoyed watching me."