Annabel Croft has revealed how Strictly has ‘distracted her from the grief’ of loosing her late husband Mel Coleman, during an appearance on Loose Women on Thursday.
The former tennis player’s, 57, husband, Mel, and father to their three children Charlie, Amber and Lilly, passed earlier this year, aged 60, a few weeks after he was diagnosed with stage three cancer.
Annabel also praised her dancing 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: ‘Obviously the grief comes in waves and their are many days where you’re just sobbing at home but with Strictly and meeting Johannes and going on this journey together, it literally has distracted me from all of that pain.
‘And they’re are days, I mean poor Johannes has had to cope with quite a few in the rehearsal rooms and everything.
Sweet: Annabel Croft, 57, has revealed how Strictly has ‘distracted her from the grief’ of loosing her late husband Mel Coleman, during an appearance on Loose Women on Thursday
Late: Annabel’s late husband, Mel, and father to their three children Charlie, Amber and Lilly, passed earlier this year, aged 60, a few weeks after he was diagnosed with stage three cancer
‘But you [Johannes] give me so much purpose to get up in a morning and come and dance.’
Despite crediting the show, Annabel discussed how ‘bittersweet’ it is being on there as Mel used to love watching the show, especially watching Johannes.
She recalled: ‘I have such fond memories of Mel in our kitchen calling us all in to watch Johannes because he just thought he was amazing, he would pause Strictly and watch it back.
‘It’s bittersweet because I really wanted them to meet and I’m heartbroken Mel isn’t here to see this journey.’
The radio presenter previously revealed she was in a dark place following Mel’s passing and she cried every day in the weeks following the loss.
Before Strictly, she said she hoped the gruelling training schedule would help take her mind off the heartache and help her ‘find some joyfulness’.
Since being on the show, Annabel has revealed that her spirits are higher and the competition has allowed her to get stuck into 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 dancing partner Johannes Radebe for giving her ‘a purpose to get up in the morning’ – he also joined the panel alongside Annabel
Opening up: Annabel said: ‘Obviously the grief comes in waves and their are many days where you’re just sobbing at home but with Strictly and meeting Johannes has literally has distracted me from all of that pain’
Praised: ‘And they’re are days, I mean poor Johannes has had to cope with quite a few in the rehearsal rooms and everything’
![Credit: 'But you [Johannes] give me so much purpose to get up in a morning and come and dance'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/09/14/77607631-12730073-image-a-90_1699540998147.jpg "Annabel Croft Finds Comfort in Strictly and Praises Partner Johannes Radebe for Giving Her a Reason to Get Up in the Morning Following the Loss of Her Husband Mel Coleman 11")
Credit: ‘But you [Johannes] give me so much purpose to get up in a morning and come and dance’
Emotional: Despite crediting the show, Annabel discussed how ‘bittersweet’ it is being on their as Mel used to love watching the show, especially watching Johannes
Performing: ‘It’s given me a reason to be able to get up in a morning and have purpose rather than just sobbing at home, which does still happen sometimes,’ she said
Long-term love: The couple pictured together in 1996 – their paths crossed quite by chance when Annabel was at a crisis point in her life
Annabel said: ‘I have struck gold. Johannes is just the most amazing human being.
‘You have the most amazing energy, incredible kindness and patience. You are an unbelievable dancer, but also an unbelievable teacher.’
Just weeks after Mel’s death, Annabel was bravely back at work, conducting post-match interviews as part of the BBC’s coverage of the Wimbledon finals and overseeing the ceremony in which winners Marketa Vondrousova and Carlos Alcaraz received their trophies.
Mel, a successful investment banker who took part in the America’s Cup and more recently ran a tennis school with his wife, was noted for his apparently perfect health and, like Annabel, enjoyed an active outdoors lifestyle.
