Strictly’s Annabel Croft breaks down in the arms of Vito Coppola as the tour comes to a close – after crediting the BBC show for ‘saving her’ following her husband’s death
Annabel Croft died in Vito Coppola’s arms on Sunday evening.
The Strictly contestant, 57, was overcome with emotion as the live tour came to an end, following a final performance at the O2 Arena in London.
Annabel was comforted by reigning series champion Vito, 31, as she wiped away tears before sharing a hug as they bid a fond farewell at the wrap party.
The mother-of-three wore a long black padded jacket over jeans and a V-neck top, accessorized with a gray beanie and carried her belongings in a cow-print bag.
Annabel previously credited the BBC show with ‘healing her’ after the tragic death of her husband Mel Coleman.
Annabel Croft, 57, died in the arms of Vito Coppola, 31, on Sunday evening as the live Strictly tour came to an end, following a final performance at London’s O2 Arena
The former tennis star was overcome with emotion as she wiped away tears at the wrap party
Annabel became a widow in May after her husband, Mel Coleman, died of cancer of 30 years (photo June 2021)
The former tennis player was widowed in May after her husband of 30 years and father of their three children Charlie, Amber and Lilly, died of cancer.
Annabel said competing on Strictly with partner Johannes Radebe, 36, has given her new life after the tragedy.
In November, the duo appeared on Good Morning Britain, where they discussed their time on the BBC ballroom dancing competition.
Annabel praised the show, saying: “Every time I get to go to the studio I am so grateful. It came at such an incredibly dark time in my life. I don’t know where I would be without it.
‘I’ve always said that I’ve never really known sadness. I had no idea. It’s given me a reason to get up in the morning and have a purpose, instead of just sitting at home sobbing, which still happens sometimes.”
Annabel added: ‘It’s about being able to use your body to get things out, which is so incredible.
‘I’m normally a runner, but dancing just gives you that buzz. I think I’m fitter than ever. I feel more flexible than ever.’
Wearing a long black quilted jacket over jeans and a V-neck top, the mum-of-three posed for a smiley photo with her tour partner Graziano Di Prima, 29, at the Strictly wrap party
Annabel was comforted by reigning series champion Vito before they shared a hug as they said a fond farewell
Annabel and Graziano were in good spirits when his wife Giada Lini joined them
Vito was clearly the life and soul of the bash as he enjoyed the boozy wrap party
Carlos Gu, Angela Scanlon and Nancy Xu appeared teary-eyed at the end of the evening
In a previous appearance on Lorraine, the former tennis pro shared how dancing helped her rest her brain from ‘thinking too many dark thoughts’.
She said: ‘It was a nice distraction from the sadness. It was nice to do something fun and use my body and rest my brain from thinking too many dark thoughts.”
The radio host previously revealed she was in a dark place following Mel’s death and cried every day in the weeks following the loss.
Before Strictly, she said she hoped the grueling training schedule would help take her mind off the heartache and help her ‘find some joy’.
The sports star narrowly missed out on the Strictly final in December after the judges saved EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier in the semi-final dancing competition.
She relived the Strictly magic on the tour, but this time Annabel performed with Italian professional Graziano Di Prima, whose partner was Zara McDermott throughout the series.