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Nigel Farage has led tributes to Ann Widdecombe, hailing the former Daily Express columnist and Brexit champion as a “political colossus” following her death aged 78.

Tributes poured in for the former Conservative minister turned Reform UK champion, celebrated as much for her forthright views as for her later career as a TV favourite.

A proud voice for this newspaper’s readers, Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone and The Weald from 1987 before standing down in 2010.

A devout Roman Catholic, she was praised by her peers for never shirking a fight over her deeply held Christian beliefs.

In 2019, she stunned Westminster by defecting to the then-new Brexit Party, returning to elected office as a Member of the European Parliament, before backing Nigel Farage’s Reform UK when the party was reborn.

Mr Farage, who stood alongside her in the Brexit cause, told the Daily Express she had been “a political colossus whose forthright honesty is all too rare in today’s politics”.

He said: “When Ann decided to stand for the Brexit Party in the snap 2019 European elections, it was a big moment and huge boost. The voters loved her. She played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line. Ann will be missed.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch offered her “deepest condolences and those of the Conservative Party to the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe”.

She hailed a “formidable politician who was never afraid to speak her mind and fought hard for what she believed”.

Mrs Badenoch added: “Always true to herself, her politics were strongly guided by her faith and her values. Rest in Peace, Ann.”

Former prime minister Boris Johnson called Widdecombe “a heroic Brexiteer” and a “great speaker who could move Tory audiences to such ecstasy that she was a very hard act to follow”.

Andrew Kennedy, chairman of the Conservative Party in Kent, who worked alongside her for years, said: “She was as formidable in real life as in public. What you saw was exactly who she was in private. Her authenticity was her greatest strength.”

He added: “Ann was forthright and her views, defined by her Christian faith, were often uncomfortable in modern Britain, but I liked her. She was honest and fearless.”

Conservative MP and Express columnist Esther McVey said the “indomitable” Widdecombe was “a good friend and supporter”.

“She had more energy and drive than people a third of her age, and she’d go out of her way to help a friend,” Ms McVey added.

Labour Health Secretary James Murray told Times Radio: “I remember growing up seeing Ann Widdecombe on TV and knowing that she was an MP and an MEP.

“She was never shy of having firm views and sharing them quite willingly, and I can’t say I always agreed with them, but she was such a part of our politics. I think everyone can recognise the contribution that she made.”

Away from politics, Widdecombe found fresh fame on the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered by Anton du Beke, and finished runner-up on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.