Ann Widdecombe has sparked accusations of homophobia for her comments about Strictly Come Dancing's first same-sex couple.
In a show first, the new series will see boxer Nicola Adams partnered with female professional Katya Jones, following on from years of calls for the flagship BBC programme to break with traditional male-female pairings.
Widdecombe, 73, memorably appeared on the show in 2010 and has come in for criticism online after suggesting that the all-female duo is not suitable viewing for a family audience.
"I don't think it is what viewers of Strictly, especially families, are looking for," she told The Times. "But that's up to the audience and the programme."
The politician has previously provoked ire with support for gay conversion therapy, as well as her outrageous suggestion that future science may "produce an answer" to homosexuality.
Strictly continues this Saturday on BBC One.
Neil Wilkes
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