Annabel, who was married to Mel for 30 years and shares three children — Amber, Lily, and Charlie — with him, went on to reach the Strictly final with professional partner Johannes Radebe
Annabel Croft has described her time on Strictly Come Dancing as a “wonderful distraction” during a period of deep grief following the death of her husband.
The 58-year-old former tennis star joined the 2023 season of the BBC ballroom show just months after losing her husband, Mel Coleman, to cancer. While the loss remained overwhelming, Annabel found solace in the rigorous routine of rehearsals and performance.
“It was such a terrible time, and it’s still a terrible time,” she told the Daily Mirror. “I don’t think you ever get over it. But for me, doing Strictly was a wonderful distraction. I spoke to a grief specialist who told me dance is one of the most amazing things for grief.”
Annabel, who was married to Mel for 30 years and shares three children — Amber, Lily, and Charlie — with him, went on to reach the Strictly final with professional partner Johannes Radebe. Reflecting on the experience, she said it reminded her of the competitive nature of the tennis world: “Funnily enough, the show did remind me of the tennis tour. There’s a lot of competition. It is the same in tennis.”
One surprising takeaway from the show? Her newfound knowledge of wigs in television production. “I learnt so much about wigs. Probably every single look you’ve seen on Strictly is a wig. They use the front part of your hair, create a scaffold, and bolt it on. Now when I see stars with amazing hair, I know what it is!”
As for the show’s elaborate costumes, Croft laughed about the not-so-glamorous side: “You are literally sewn into your costumes. They make sure no flaps of skirts flare up. It means the toilet queue is a nightmare!”
