Former Good Morning Britain contributor Andrew Pierce joined mourners who gathered at Buckfast Abbey in Devon for Ann Widdecombe's funeral on Wednesday, August 12Dan Laurie Deputy Editor of Screen Time and Michelle Marshall18:59, 12 Aug 2026Ann Widdecombe's funeral was held on Wednesday at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, where about 100 family, friends and colleagues attended the service‌GB News presenter Andrew Pierce joined her loved ones who attended the service for the former Tory minister, held at the Catholic abbey where she regularly worshipped and which she described as her "safe haven".‌The Celebrity Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing contestant was found dead on July 8 aged 78 and was discovered with serious head injuries at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor.‌Those paying their respects were dressed in black as they arrived for the requiem mass — a Catholic service in which prayers are offered for the soul of the deceased — for the former MP, who later became a Reform UK spokeswoman.Reporting live from Devon, GB News' Andrew told viewers he "struggled to hold back tears" during the "moving" ceremony. He explained: "It's been a remarkably emotional day as you can imagine. The family wanted it to just be family and friends. It was a requiem mass at Buckfast Abbey.‌"Most Sundays, she would be here at mass. Very close to her home at Widdecombe's rest on Dartmoor where she met that terrible death..Andrew continued: "Her nephew, Roger, a Church of England vicar spoke for many when he said, 'none of us can understand the nature of the death. None of us can digest the shock of what happened.' Of course we can't.", reports the Express. He added: "I was struggling to hold the tears back."The former Good Morning Britain contributor later went on to describe the funeral as "wonderful" before speaking to Christian Sweeting who delivered a "moving" eulogy during the service.‌An earlier statement from the Abbey Church described Ann as someone who would be "missed and fondly remembered", adding that "many in our worshipping community knew her as a kind and warm character"."Ann was a woman of profound faith, a faith which found expression in the public forum of politics," it said. "Ann was unafraid to express her unwavering convictions, formed through her Roman Catholic faith. She had a sharp intellect and was a dedicated public servant."Article continues belowThe order of service also featured tributes from the Rev Roger Widdecombe, Widdecombe's nephew, and Sir Christian Sweeting, a close friend. A public memorial honouring Ann is set to take place later this year.In 2002, Ann appeared in a Louis Theroux documentary depicting her life in and out of politics. 10 years later, she presented an hour-long documentary for BBC Radio 5 Live, Drunk Again: Ann Widdecombe Investigates, examining how British attitudes to alcohol consumption had changed in recent years.In 2020, Widdecombe visited Halden Prison in Norway for the documentary The World's Most Luxurious Prison.