When Annabel Croft tragically lost her husband Mel Coleman in 2023 after a short battle with stomach cancer, many were surprised to see her taking part in Strictly Come Dancing the same year. However, she believes that being on the floor with professional dancer Johannes Radebe saved her during that dark period of her life.
“It was such a terrible time, and there is still a terrible time. I don’t think you ever get over it. But it was perfect as I did not have to go back to the family home at 4pm when it was empty in winter, on my own. I was terrified of that. So (when) the opportunity came up to do a dancing and I thought, What a wonderful distraction to take me away from the tears!”
Mel was a former international yachtsman, and Annabel, who turns 58 in July, met him in 1987 when he taught her how to sail for a TV programme. They got married in 1992 in a village of Badsworth in Kent and went on to live with their family life near Wimbledon with their children – Amber Rose, Lily and Charlie. Two years after his death, Annabel confesses that she still talks to her late husband.
"I was with Mel from the age of 21, and I never saw it coming. I spoke to him 5000 times a day, and my life has changed dramatically. I didn’t think there is any right or wrong way to grieve. The loss is absolutely enormous. You feel as if you have to. I keep saying to him, ‘Where did you go?’ You were a physical person, and now you are not there. I don’t understand it at all.”
Annabel’s time on Strictly not only helped her with her grief, but she also formed an amazing friendship out of it with Johannes. The couple finished in fourth place. “It was the most magical experience of my life. I never felt better in my body. It was the most amazing partner in Johannes. We are still friends. We speak all the time. We went on holiday together actually.”
She also enjoyed being active again, after a career in professional tennis.
“Having [as] much fun with my body has never felt better [than] when I danced. I miss it. I am quite stiff now, and dancing just made everything flow.”
Coming straight from retirement, Annabel, who was brought up in Kent, immediately became the face of the successful show Treasure Hunt, where she took over from Anneka Rice. She then went on to her own show (on ITV called) Interceptor.
Although she doesn’t play on the court anymore, she has remained involved in the world of tennis as a presenter and commentator for events such as Wimbledon and the US Open, which can still involve a lot of travel. Annabel says she loves to try and relax when she can.
“All the years that I played on the tour, you share travel with people the whole time. Even after I retired, I have become obsessed by how many hours sleep I get a night. That has never left me since I played tennis. But I have learnt not to worry about it so much. [If] I wake up at 3am, I just think, ‘Oh well, I’ll just structure in three hours of sleep.”
Everything you need to know about Annabel Croft
What is Annabel Croft famous for?
Annabel is best known for her tennis career. In 1984, she won Wimbledon and the Australian Open girls' tournament. She went on to win the Virginia Slims of San Diego tournament and play for Great Britain in represented Great Britain in the Fed Cup in 1985 and 1986, and in the Wightman Cup from 1983 to 1986. When Annabel retired from tennis at the age of 21, she was ranked in the top 25 players in the world.
Annabel then went on to become a TV presenter, beginning with Channel 4’s Treasure Hunt and then her own show on ITV, Interceptor. She has provided tennis coverage for Sky Sports and Eurosport and has appeared on numerous shows over the years including This Morning and The Wright Stuff.
Annabel Croft’s husband and children
Annabel married British yachtsman Mel Coleman in 1993. The couple were married for thirty years until Mel passed away in 2023 following a short battle with cancer. The pair ran a tennis school together and lived in London with their three children.
Annabel shared three grown children with her husband, Amber, Lily, and Charlie.
Annabel Croft’s husband’s cancer
In May 2023, Annabel announced that her husband had passed away following a sudden cancer diagnosis. “My beloved husband Mel passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning after a short battle with cancer. My family and I are completely heartbroken and ask for privacy at this very sad time.”
How old is Annabel Croft?
Annabel was born on July 12, 1966, making her 58 years old.
What was Annabel Croft’s highest ranking?
In December 1985, Annabel was ranked the 24th best tennis player in the world. She retired just three years later.
Interview by Marc Baker.