Ann Widdecombe’s family have told of their shock at her brutal death, saying they fear she spent her last moments in ‘abject terror.’

The former politician, who starred on Strictly in 2010, was found covered in blood at her home in Devon earlier this week.

Police believe she was attacked by a lone male who had broken into her home. A 26-year-old man was arrested on Friday but has since been released.

A source close to the family told the Daily Mail: ‘We’re in total shock and disbelief. It was hard enough to find out we’d lost Ann – but we still have yet to come to terms with the fact that she died in such brutal circumstances. Perhaps we never will.

‘She was a little, frail old lady. What we find most difficult of all is that she must have been in abject terror for the last minutes of her life.’

Police have not said whether any weapon was used and it is believed that nothing was taken from the property.

Fears for Ann were raised after she didn’t turn up for an appearance on Jeremy Vine’s Channel 5 show. Her body was found inside her bungalow by a gardener on Thursday.

Devon and Cornwall Police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said in a statement: ‘This is an extremely tragic incident.

‘Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Miss Widdecombe in this very difficult time.’

In the hours after Ann’s death was confirmed by her management, dozens of tributes were paid to her, including ones from Piers Morgan and Jeremy Vine.

Piers praised Ann for having strong views, writing: ‘A wonderfully no-nonsense, straight-talking, highly-opinionated British battle-axe.

‘Ann was always a very feisty, combative interviewee, but always great fun too. Amid so many dreary politicians, she was a charismatic, combative gem.’