Anton Du Beke made his first public appearance at Henley Festival on Friday, just hours after a murder investigation was launched into the death of his friend, former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. The dancer attended the event where Lulu headlined the Floating Stage, followed by ABBA homage band Björn Again.
Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries. Devon and Cornwall Police announced on Friday afternoon that officers had begun a murder inquiry into her death. On Saturday, the force confirmed that a 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder had been released from custody.
Du Beke and Widdecombe formed a close friendship after she was partnered with him on the 2010 series of 'Strictly Come Dancing'. He had previously paid tribute to the former MP, stating he was "devastated" by her passing.
"I had the most brilliant time with Ann on Strictly Come Dancing," Du Beke said in an Instagram post. "She became a real friend. She was fun. She was upbeat. She was positive. She was supportive. She was game. She wanted to enter into the spirit of the whole thing, and we had an incredible time together. And we stayed firm friends."
He added, "My thoughts go out to all of her nearest and dearest, and all her family. This is a sad day, and I'm devastated by the news of Ann's passing. But I shall remember her fondly and miss her."
Anton and Ann famously reached week ten of 'Strictly' in 2010 and remained in touch. Widdecombe's death was initially announced by her agent on Friday morning with no suggestion of unnatural causes. The investigation is reportedly examining CCTV from her property, and a significant police presence remains in the area.
Widdecombe, who was unmarried and lived alone, was last seen during a Talk TV interview on Thursday morning. She had been scheduled to appear on Channel 5's 'Jeremy Vine' show later that morning but failed to attend. A post on X by Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker indicated that Widdecombe had also stopped responding to messages and missed a scheduled appearance on '5 Daytime' on Wednesday afternoon. Her family became concerned when they could not reach her by phone, leading to police being called around 11:40 a.m. on Thursday. Her body was discovered by her gardener in the kitchen of her bungalow.
A source close to the family described the situation as "total shock and disbelief," adding, "It was hard enough to find out we'd lost Ann – but we still have yet to come to terms with the fact that she died in such brutal circumstances. Perhaps we never will. She was a little, frail old lady. What we find most difficult of all is that she must have been in abject terror for the last minutes of her life."