It breaks my heart that late husband Mel isn’t able to see me on Strictly – he loved the show, says Annabel Croft

By Updates

Facebook Twitter Reddit WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Email Print Tumblr

FORMER tennis ace Annabel Croft has told how she was inspired to go on Strictly by the sudden death of her husband who loved the show.

Sports broadcaster Annabel, 56, said she signed up to take part as investment banker Mel Coleman, who died in May aged 60, was often moved to tears when he watched it.

Getty

Annabel Croft has told how she was inspired to go on Strictly by the sudden death of her husband[/caption]

Getty

Annabel lost her partner, Mel, a former professional yachtsman, after he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer[/caption]

She lost her partner, a former professional yachtsman, eight weeks after he complained of stomach pain and was subsequently diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer.

The couple, who met in 1987, had three now-adult children who are thrilled their tennis pundit mum is taking part in this season’s Strictly to help distract her from her grief and, she says, “find a little joy”.

Annabel, who at 15 was the youngest Brit to compete at Wimbledon for almost a century, said: “Mel always loved Strictly.

“He’d cry watching it and I’m heartbroken he’s not here to see it.

“It’s been a terrible, terrible time and there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t cried.

“That’s why I think it’s good I’m doing something that will distract me. To be distracted, to be spending time doing something so wonderful and beautiful, is amazing.”

Annabel, a junior Wimbledon champion at 18, insists she will not be competitive on the dance floor.

She said: “As a tennis player I am only competitive with myself. I don’t want to be competitive in the competition because we already know there are massive differences in how everyone moves and dances.