Sky News has been hit with Ofcom complaints following a presenter's controversial remarks about Ann Widdecombe14:36, 15 Jul 2026Updated 14:37, 15 Jul 2026Sky News has sparked major backlash following a presenter's contentious remarks about Ann Widdecombe.‌The network has been slapped with over a hundred complaints after Adam Boulton’s comments about the late politician following her death.‌The former Conservative politician and Reform UK spokesperson’s death at the age of 78 was announced on Friday, July 10. It was confirmed she was found dead at her Devon home the day before, after sustaining serious injuries.‌Following the news, Adam described the Strictly Come Dancing star Ann as a “spinster” and an “old maid”.The TV watchdog Ofcom revealed that 169 complaints were made following the presenters remark on Monday (July 13).‌At the time, he said on Sky News: “She was very much a spinster, by the end I think you’d probably describe her as an old maid. Reportedly, she claimed that she was a virgin.”Following Boulton’s TV appearance, thousands took to social media to share their reaction.One viewer called his comments ‘appalling’, writing: "Why is he so fixated on her single status? Would you EVER say that about a man in the same position?"‌Another called Boulton’s description of Widdecombe "bottom of the barrel".After his comments on live TV, Boulton issued an apology, saying: “I was seriously wrong and insensitive in one of the several media appearances I made yesterday in reaction to the death of Ann Widdecombe. I got the timing and tone of my initial word portrait of her wrong.“Of course I shared, and share, the horror at her murder and the respect for her remarkable and feisty political career. I also know that many people loved her for her subsequent showbiz stardom. Her untimely death is a horrible thing.‌“My mistaken view was that in the context of rolling news coverage, I was being asked to contribute as an obituarist who has known her and interacted with her since the 1980s. This approach was premature.“At no point was I expressing my personal feelings about her, that's not what I do. I was discussing her life in the round, based on the record of known facts and what she has said about herself, along with some recollections of our personal interactions.Article continues below"My choice of words on the spur of the moment was clumsy. I did not intend to offend though obviously I did.”Boulton went on to call himself a freelance contributor, and said he was "freely" issuing the apology after confessing "I got this badly wrong". He also apologised to Sky News and Times Radio for the "unwarranted" criticism the outlets received over his "mistake".The Mirror previously reached out to Boulton's representatives for comment.