Strictly Come Dancing stalwart and former Maidstone and the Weald MP Ann Widdecombe takes centre stage in Kent again this month for her first-ever panto appearance. She spoke to What’s On.

They were the pair who loved to hate each other on last year’s Strictly – so what better place for Ann Widdecombe and Craig Revel Horwood to lock horns again than on centre stage in panto this Christmas.

Ann, 64, was victim to acid-tongued judge Craig, when they met on Strictly Come Dancing last year. But the pair went on to dance together in Strictly’s national tour, often receiving standing ovations by adoring audiences.

Now their fun-based friendship has become a lasting one, resulting in Craig inviting Ann to join him in the panto, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Dartford’s Orchard Theatre.

In Ann’s first panto appearance, she will be playing Widdy in Waiting to panto stalwart Craig’s Wicked Queen.

Ann, who retired from politics in 2010, says: “We always were good friends. What he does on stage in Strictly is just an act. He would say I was 'absolutely terrible, with no co-ordination’ and all the rest of it and then afterwards we would laugh about it all.

“Appearing in panto with Craig will be huge fun and I’m looking forward to a dance number with Craig in particular. Watch out for that.

“People in Kent must know all about me by now. They will see that Craig and I have enormous fun and we can make that infectious.”

Appearing in panto throughout the month will keep Ann from her beloved home in Dartmoor – and well away from the notorious snowdrifts that have frequently left her stuck at home.

She says: “Dartmoor is a beautiful place and my home now.

“I was marooned for two winters running by the snow and generally speaking, I have learned not to get engagements in during the winter.

“The panto will mean I will be missing most of the Dartmoor winter this year though.”

Craig said: “Ann is extremely entertaining and such a sport. We’ve had a great laugh together on tour, though whether or not her dancing has improved is another matter.

“I can’t wait to join her in Dartford this year for her pantomime debut.”

Michael Harrison, of panto producers’ Qdos, said: “We were delighted when Craig approached us about Ann Widdecombe joining him on stage and are thrilled that she has signed up to play Widdy in Waiting. She is such a fantastic personality. I am sure audiences will love her!”

When Ann is not on TV, she writes books and for newspapers. She has an autobiography out next year.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs runs at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford, from Friday, December 9 to Saturday, January 7. Tickets, from £19, can be booked at www.orchardtheatre.co.uk or on 01322 220000.