Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe has reportedly joined the line-up for this year's Celebrity Big Brother, after weeks of starring in panto in Lowestoft.

The 70-year-old has been a last-minute addition to the Channel 5 show, according to The Mirror.

Known for her controversial opinions, the former minister for prisons has just finished a stint in the Lowestoft Marina Theatre's production of Aladdin in which she played the Empress of China.

Ahead of the four-week run, she said: 'For four solid weeks all you hear is them laughing and there's no better sound in the world. That's the main attraction.

'You don't need a great deal of subtlety and cleverness to make them laugh. It's just wonderful. We get families in the evening and you tend to get pensioners' outings and such like, so it's great fun, that's what it's about.'

Ms Widdecombe is no stranger to reality television after finishing sixth in the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing with her partner Anton Du Beke.

The new series of Celebrity Big Brother, which begins on Channel 5 tonight, will start with only women in the house as the show marks the 100th anniversary of women being given the vote.

The only confirmed celebrity is journalist Rachel Johnson but rumoured house mates include Khloe Kardashian's best friend Malika Haqq, Gogglebox star Sandi Bogle and Geordie Shore star Holly Hagan.