HER political opponents have long described her as terrifying but Ann Widdecombe never expected to be used to scare off the crows.
But the former Conservative MP is to be immortalised by a group from Kenly, who are creating life-sized scarecrows of her and Strictly Come Dancing partner Anton Du Beke.
Milly Kidd, 75, from Park Road, who is a member of the Kenley Valley Women's Institute (WI), is already celebrated for her masterpiece scarecrows which she made for the RHS Garden Wisley in Woking, depicting the WI past and present around two years ago. Since then, the centre has called on the WI in Surrey and the surrounding area to fill the garden once again, this time with a Strictly theme.
"It was such a success back then with around 20 scarecrows in their garden that they have asked the WIs in the area to make some more.
"My WI decided I should submit one on their behalf but I have chosen to go one step further and will be making two.
"I'm going to call it Ant Ann Dec because it will be Ann Widdecombe being dragged across the floor by her dance partner Anton Du Beke.
"She is going to be a bit like a rag doll on the floor with her arm outstretched and Anton will be much more solid and standing up, looking like he's dragging her."
The scene is based on a scene from the 2010 show which has become a modern classic – the pair performing a 'paso doble' where Mr Du Beke represented a matador and the former MP was his cape.
"I could have done any scene from the programme but that one is one of my favourites. It was really funny and I think she had a lot of pluck doing it.
"She now goes around the country doing tours and she has had a lot of fun out of it. I admire her too – I saw her speak once at Fairfield Hall and she had the audience eating out of the palm of her hand.
"I think she will be amused by this, not offended. She has a great sense of humour and can laugh at herself."
The Advertiser decided to test Mrs Kidd's judgement and gave the politician-turned-performer a call.
"Of course I am not offended" she said. "I very much hope this lady will send me a photo. In fact, I will be most offended if she doesn't. I have enjoyed many things off the back of Strictly and this is just the latest episode."
The Wisley garden is expecting their scarecrows at an event on July 16 but Mrs Kidd hopes to finish hers by the end of June.
