Annabel Croft has spoken candidly about the profound grief she experienced following the death of her husband, Mel Coleman, and how competing on Strictly Come Dancing offered her an emotional lifeline during the darkest period of her life.
The former tennis champion and TV presenter, 57, revealed she is determined not to become what she calls a “professional widow,” explaining that she wants to embrace life again rather than be consumed by her loss. Coleman, her husband of over 30 years, died suddenly of cancer in 2023, just weeks after his diagnosis.
In a heartfelt interview, Croft said:
“I could feel myself sinking after Mel died. I was so lost. But Strictly pulled me out—it gave me structure, purpose, and something joyful to hold onto.”
She credited the BBC dance show not only with lifting her spirits but also helping her reconnect with movement, music, and laughter during a time when she thought those feelings were out of reach. Croft danced with partner Johannes Radebe, and the two formed a powerful emotional bond that resonated with viewers.
“I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life defined by grief,” she added. “Mel would have wanted me to keep living.”#newsafro_
