When Ann Widdecombe retired from politics few could have foreseen an epic run in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Years of doing battle in the Commons and for her constituents in Maidstone and surrounding villages meant the formidable MP had a reputation as a straight-talking political animal.

But behind the scenes Strictly producers were so sure of her star quality, they had actively pursued her for the show.

“I refused Strictly Come Dancing for five years,” she said.

“I just said 'no'. I was an MP and it wouldn’t be right. but then I thought once I had retired it would be a fun thing to do. I didn’t expect to make it to week 10 of 12 weeks. And then I also went on the tour.”

She clearly relished her time on the show and got to show a side of her that the public had never seen. Today she is still in touch with her dance partner, Anton du Beke and also appeared on a TV show with judge Len Goodman recently.

Ann’s fun-loving side, which has also included starring in panto, means that when she faces an audience these days there are plenty of questions on Strictly. But not much fazes her.

“I always get plenty of questions about Strictly, my books and an awful lot of questions about Europe too,” she said.

“But that is part of the fun of it. The whole thing is off the cuff. It’s my life. It’s what I have been involved in. People also want to know what I’ve done since retirement.”

“I am quite busy,” she said. “I still write and I do TV documentaries. And I still take an interest in my Kent charities.”

Ann will be back in the county this week for the show, An Audience With... which promises an evening of stories, anecdotes and opinions from the former MP for Maidstone and the Weald.

The audience will hear first-hand the life story of the celebrated and outspoken former Shadow Home Secretary as she talks about her childhood in Singapore as well as revealing what life was really like at the centre of British politics.

'With non-fiction you have got to check everything! The memory does play tricks.'

She will also be taking questions and signing copies of her latest book - the autobiography Strictly Ann.

"With non-fiction you have got to check everything!" she said. "The memory does play tricks."

But she is ready to face whatever questions are fired at her this weekend at the Hop Farm, near Paddock Wood - a visit the 68-year-old is looking forward too.

"I shall take the opportunity to look up friends,” she said.

"I have kept the connections with some of my charities, such as Hi Kent and the Buttercups Sanctuary for Goats at Boughton Monchelsea."

She is also an avid supporter of the Heart of Kent Hospice and Saturday's An Audience With... will be raising funds for the Aylesford-based charity.

“The Heart of Kent was a charity that I supported from the start," added Ann.

“What people often don’t realise is that hospices weren’t set up by the government, they were set up by charities.

"I am delighted to be back in Kent to support their fundraising, so they can develop the care they provide for my former constituents in Maidstone and the surrounding villages.”

Hospice chief executive Sarah Pugh added: “This year, Heart of Kent Hospice is celebrating 25 years of providing compassionate care across Maidstone, Tonbridge, Malling and the surrounding areas, offering support for many of Ann’s former constituents.

"We are hugely grateful to Ann for donating her time to support our work and help us to raise the vital funds we need to provide care for our patients and their families.”

DETAILS

Tickets for An Audience with Ann Widdecombe on Saturday, June 11 at 7pm at the Hop Farm in Beltring, Paddock Wood, cost £25. There are still some front row seats at £30. Tickets include a drink on arrival.

To book visit hokh.org or call 01622 790195.