She was replaced as Leader of the EPLP by her colleague Richard Corbett. She was honoured with a 'thank you' dinner on 4 November 2017 which celebrated her career and contribution to the Labour Party and European politics; the dinner was attended by Corbyn and former leader Ed Miliband. Personal life Willmott lives in Leicestershire with her husband Ted. She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2015 Dissolution Honours on 27 August 2015. References External links European Parliament profile 1951 births Alumni of Nottingham Trent University British trade unionists Labour Friends of Israel Living people Labour Party (UK) MEPs People from County Durham (district) People from Mansfield Politicians from Leicestershire Politics of Lincolnshire MEPs for England 2004–2009 MEPs for England 2009–2014 MEPs for England 2014–2019 21st-century women MEPs for England Members of Nottinghamshire County Council Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire Women councillors in England