BREAKING NEW: Sky News star just ended his career over disgusting Ann Widdecombe tribute
The veteran broadcaster sparked backlash for his insensitive comments hours after the politician’s de@th.
Sky News’ Adam Boulton is facing backlash for his disgusting comments about Ann Widdecombe (Image: Sky News)
It’s been a terrifying week in the world of politics, and one former Sky News presenter has only made matters ten times worse. On Friday morning (July 10), the devastating news of Ann Widdecombe’s de@th shocked the nation as the political climate continues to intensify in the UK. But what was initially believed to be an unexpected de@th from health-related issues soon darkened into a chilling act of cold-blooded murder.
Over the weekend, police launched a murder investigation for the suspected killer of the former Tory politician, who was found bloodied and bruised at her remote bungalow in Haytor, Dartmoor, Devon. But hours after the manhunt was launched to catch her killer, TV presenter Adam Boulton sparked backlash for his cruel comments about the late Strictly star.
Speaking about the Reform UK minister’s life on Sky News, Adam reflected: “She was very much a spinster. By the end, you could probably describe her as an old maid. Reportedly, she claimed that she was a virgin.” In his fiery comments, he also branded the politician a “battleaxe” and a “bruiser,” sparking fury online. It was one of those rare moments as a TV journalist when you literally can’t believe your ears.
His heartless comments were insensitive and uncalled for, especially so soon after the news of her de@th hit the headlines. The country was still reeling from the news, so to hear a respected journalist talk so brazenly about the deceased’s life and sexuality was appalling, to say the least.
The 67-year-old broadcaster acted carelessly with no thought for her family and friends and the sensitivity they deserve during this difficult time. If you just took a brief flick through the channels, you would see much more sensitive and heartfelt coverage from various other news outlets.
Take Good Morning Britain, for example. They spent a good portion of their morning show discussing her tragic de@th and the ongoing investigations before focusing on the good she did in the world and her infamous stint on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2010. Her appearance on the show really allowed the country to see a different side of Ann that we hadn’t seen before.
It separated her strong, and sometimes divisive views, from the person at the heart of it. It allowed her quick wit and playful nature to flourish as she made firm friends with the cast and crew. Her former dance partner, Anton du Beke, was left feeling “devastated” by the news of her de@th and shared an emotional tribute to the star in a video on social media.
You may not have agreed with all of her views, but she was a deeply kind woman who always stuck to her word. And people respected her for her strong will and matching ambition, and drive. It didn’t take long for the frequent Times Radio guest to realise the catastrophic error of his ways and take to social media to issue an apology hours after his TV appearance.
He grovelled: “I was seriously wrong and insensitive in one of the several media appearances I made yesterday in reaction to the de@th 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 de@th is a horrible thing.” Mr Boulton attempted to recover from his mistake by insisting that he was operating as an “obituarist”. He added: “At no point was I expressing my personal feelings about her; that’s not what I do.
The Reform politician was found brutally murdered in her Devon home last week (Image: Getty)
“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. My choice of words on the spur of the moment was clumsy. I did not intend to offend, though obviously I did.”
He concluded the post by adding that he works freelance and that his views are his own and do not reflect the companies he works for. Adam is best known as the founding Political Editor of Sky News from 1989 to 2014.
In recent years, he has worked across various channels as a political analyst. But after this stint, I think he will be hard-pressed to find a publication or outlet willing to have him back. In my opinion, this shows that the broadcaster needs to step back from his radio and TV appearances and focus on writing, where he has time to properly think through what he wants to say before putting it out into the world.
Mr Boulton can’t erase his comments, but he can learn from this mistake after some time to reflect. No one deserves to be bad-mouthed so soon after their de@th, particularly one so violent and unexpected.
