Strictly Come Dancing viewers have said Christmas has been “ruined” thanks to the show including controversial politician Ann Widdecombe in the festive special.
Ann and her pro partner Anton Du Beke were included in the countdown of 25 fan-favourite dances – but people were not happy.
Many took issue over Ann being included given her past comments on the LGBT community – especially considering the 2020 series of Strictly featured a same-sex couple.
Taking to Twitter, one person predicted: “Are they going to manage to crowbar Ann Widdecombe and ruin Christmas though? Almost certainly.”
Another tweeted: “Strictly keep showing Ann Widdecombe like we find her entertaining. When are Strictly going to understand that we don’t?”
Ann Widdecombe was included in the countdown of 25 fan-favourite dances (Image: PA)
A third wrote: “Strictly should be editing Ann Widdecombe out of their history in embarrassment. She has since gone on to use the platform they gave her to relaunch her political career and advocate for ‘gay conversion’ therapy. She doesn’t deserve treatment as a ‘national treasure’.”
Someone else said: “Strictly stop glorifying Ann Widdecombe challenge.”
And a fifth added: “I cannot believe they’ve put the embarrassment of Ann Widdecombe in with all the talented acts.”
Some fans said it was ’embarrassing’ that Ann had been included among talented dancers (Image: PA)
However a few seemed to admit that they were fans, showing that her terrible dancing was still as divisive now as it was 2010 when she came in sixth place.
One said: “A show that needs its Ann Widdecombes, John Sargeants and Ed Ballses as much as it needs its Alesha Dixons, Gabby Logans and Penny Lancaster-Stewarts. Variety makes it as much fun as it is.”
Strictly fans weren’t pleased with Ann being recognised after her comments about LGBT people (Image: PA)
The 2020 series of Strictly saw the show’s first ever same-sex partnering, when boxer Nicola Adams was paired with Katya Jones.
Sadly, they were forced out of the competition early when Katya tested positive for coronavirus.
Last year, Ann sparked fury when she defended comments she made in 2012 which defended so-called “gay conversion” therapy.
She told Sky News that science might “provide an answer” as to whether or not people could “switch sexuality”.
The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant defended herself by likening transgender people to people attracted to the same sex – despite the fact that someone’s gender and their sexual attraction are not linked.
She said she had “pointed out that there was a time when it was thought impossible for men to become women”.
But members of the public and fellow politicians alike slammed Ann’s comments, with Labour MP Luke Pollard saying she was “continuing her sick anti-LGBT campaign”.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
