Annabel Croft revealed during an appearance on Loose Women on Thursday how Strictly has ‘distracted her from the grief’ of losing her late husband Mel Coleman.
The former tennis player’s 57-year-old husband, Mel, and father of their three children Charlie, Amber and Lilly, passed away earlier this year at the age of 60, just weeks after being diagnosed with stage three cancer.
Annabel also praised her dance partner Johannes Radebe, 36, for giving her ‘a purpose to get up in the morning’ – he also joined the panel alongside Annabel.
Speaking to host Charlene White, 43, Annabel said: ‘The grief obviously comes in waves and there are a lot of days where you’re just at home sobbing, but with Strictly and meeting Johannes and going on the journey together, it has literally distracted me from all that pain.
“And they’re days, I mean, poor Johannes has had to put up with quite a few in the practice rooms and stuff.
Sweet: Annabel Croft, 57, revealed how Strictly ‘distracted her from the grief’ of losing her late husband Mel Coleman, during an appearance on Loose Women on Thursday
Late: Annabel’s late husband, Mel, and father of their three children Charlie, Amber and Lilly, passed away earlier this year at the age of 60, just weeks after being diagnosed with stage three cancer
‘But you (Johannes) make me so excited to get up in the morning and come dance.’
Despite crediting the show, Annabel discussed how “bittersweet” it is there as Mel always enjoyed watching the show, especially Johannes.
She recalled: ‘I have such fond memories of Mel in our kitchen calling us all to watch Johannes because he just loved him, he paused Strictly and watched it back.
“It’s bittersweet because I really wanted them to meet and I’m devastated that Mel isn’t here to see this journey.”
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’.
Since being on the show, Annabel has revealed that her spirits are higher and that the competition has allowed her to take on a new challenge.
Annabel said her Strictly partner Johannes is ‘the most amazing human being’ as she applauded his kindness and patience.
Emotional: Annabel also praised her dance partner Johannes Radebe for giving her ‘a purpose to get up in the morning’ – he also joined the panel alongside Annabel
Opening: Annabel said: ‘Grief obviously comes in waves and there are many days where you’re just at home sobbing, but doing Strictly and meeting Johannes has literally distracted me from all that pain’
Praised: ‘And they’re days, I mean, poor Johannes has had to put up with quite a bit in the rehearsal rooms and stuff’
Credit: ‘But you (Johannes) make me so excited to get up in the morning and come dance’
Emotional: Despite crediting the show, Annabel discussed how “bittersweet” it is to be on their TV as Mel always enjoyed watching the show, especially Johannes
Performance: “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,” she said
Long-lasting love: the couple pictured together in 1996 – their paths crossed by chance when Annabel was at a crisis point in her life
Annabel said: ‘I found gold. Johannes is simply the most wonderful person.
‘You have the most amazing energy, incredible kindness and patience. You are an incredible dancer, but also an incredible teacher.”
Just weeks after Mel’s death, Annabel was bravely back at work. She conducted post-match interviews as part of the BBC’s coverage of the Wimbledon final and oversaw the ceremony in which winners Marketa Vondrousova and Carlos Alcaraz received their trophies.
Mel, a successful investment banker who competed in the America’s Cup and recently ran a tennis school with his wife, was known for his apparently perfect health and, like Annabel, enjoyed an active outdoor life.