Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft has broke down in tears on Monday evening as she reflected on her meaningful journey on the BBC show.
The former tennis star, 57, made it to the final four just one week ahead of the finale – but she was eliminated on Saturday night’s episode leaving Ellie Leach, Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams to battle it all out.
Annabel broke down to tears during Strictly It Takes Two as she embraced her dancing partner Johannes Radebe, and said candidly: ‘It’s hard not to feel dazed by it all, it’s just been the most magical 12 weeks. I enjoyed so much from it, from start to finish.
‘If someone had said to me you might get to week 12, I’d have never believed it. I’m a little bit sad that I couldn’t get us to the final and of course, we’d have loved to get through but we had some stiff competition.’
Meanwhile the South African pro dancer, 36, added: ‘I was extremely disappointed but like Annabel said, we did have some stiff competition.
Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft has broke down in tears on Monday evening as she reflected on her meaningful journey on the BBC show
The former tennis star, 57, made it to the last four contestant just one week ahead of the final – but was eliminated on Saturday night’s episode leaving Ellie Leach, Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams to battle it all out
He continued: ‘I’m happy for what we had, I’m very content, but I would have loved to take Annabel to the final.’
During the episode, highlights of her journey on Strictly were played on screens during an emotional moment, as the dancing pair gushed over their moments on the competition.
The sportsperson appeared very emotional as she wiped away the tears, while Johannes consoled her.
Talking about what he will miss the most about Annabel, the dancer said: ‘Everything. It’s your smile – every day. How eager you were to learn to dance, and you were not here for the glory of it all, you were here to learn to dance.
‘I hope you know how proud I am of you. Thank you for every day.’
Annabel paid a heartfelt tribute to the crew and cast of the hit BBC show during her exit speech, leaving a special mention for Johannes.
‘It’s been the most incredible rollercoaster ride, I have had every single emotion you can imagine. I really want to thank Strictly for letting me take part in this competition.’
She went on: ‘Thank you to the judges, for your amazing comments and guiding us all along. But I also see this as a one-thousand-piece jig saw puzzle and I wish that everyone in the public could see what goes on behind the scenes because it’s quite extraordinary the machinery that makes it work and makes the show what it is.’
‘If someone had said to me you might get to week 12, I’d have never believed it. I’m a little bit sad that I couldn’t get us to the final and of course, we’d have loved to get through but we had some stiff competition,’ said Annabel
Talking about what he will miss the most about Annabel, the dancer said: ‘Everything. It’s your smile – every day. How eager you were to learn to dance, and you were not here for the glory of it all, you were here to learn to dance. ‘I hope you know how proud I am of you. Thank you for every day’
The tennis star paid an emotional tribute to crew and cast as she said candidly: ‘Thank you to the judges, for your amazing comments and guiding us all along. But I also see this as a one-thousand-piece jig saw puzzle and I wish that everyone in the public could see what goes on behind the scenes because it’s quite extraordinary the machinery that makes it work and makes the show what it is’
On Monday morning, she took to Instagram to share a lengthy and heartwarming post about her time on the show and her Salsa, which acted as her final dance
Annabel Croft has broken her silence after her Strictly departure on Sunday
After being eliminated, Annabel gushed: ‘It’s been the most life changing and extraordinary experience of my life’
‘The most wholesome family entertainment magical show with so much glitz and glamour and so much enjoyment for everybody.
‘It has been amazing and I can’t thank everyone enough. Thank you so much Johannes, for the most special time I have had with you,’ she finished emotionally.
The former tennis player missed out on a spot in next week’s final after being defeated in the dance-off by actor Bobby Brazier in what was one of the closest semi-finals in the show’s 19-year history.
Following her departure, Annabel, who lost her yachtsman husband Mel Coleman in May when he died of colon cancer just 16 weeks after he was diagnosed, lauded her Strictly partner Johannes Radebe for ‘giving her a reason to get out of bed’.
On Monday morning, she took to Instagram to share a lengthy and heartwarming post about her time on the show and her Salsa, which acted as her final dance.
She penned: ‘There are SO many things I have to say, so here is a Part 1 reflection on Saturday… What an amazing semi-final and congratulations to all 3 finalists – you are so talented and deserving of your place, in what’s going to be a wonderful final…
‘Dancing a Salsa on Saturday night and being flung around like a rag doll was not something I will ever forget. I spent half the dance in hysterics, after skidding on the floor and landing on my back, with out of control legs in the air ha ha ha…
‘Thank goodness for the super strong Johannes, who was able to pick me up and land me on my feet, just in time, to hit the beat and carry on partying. What a blast!…
‘The last video was taken in rehearsals when I practiced the entrance from the sky, however seconds before we danced live, the mechanics broke down, so confetti was thrown from a stationary position, instead of the air…
‘It was all SO much fun and I honestly can’t stop laughing when I think about this dance. It’s been one of my favourites this series and a big shout out to the choreographers, I have loved working with you’.
Annabel and her three grown-up children were left devastated in May when Mel died of colon cancer just 16 weeks after he was diagnosed.
Speaking after the show’s judges delivered their verdicts at the weekend, the emotional star, who was given the lowest score with 33 out of 40, said: ‘It’s been the most life-changing and extraordinary experience of my life.
‘Johannes, you have been absolutely extraordinary. You have given me a reason to get out of bed and come and dance with you, distract me and to heal me.
‘You have been so patient, so caring and so loving. You are an unbelievably special human being. I simply adore you.
‘I really want to thank Strictly for letting me take part in this competition. Thank you so much Johannes for the most special time I have had with you.’
Dance sensation Radebe also paid tribute to Annabel, saying: ‘Thank you for making the decision to come here.
‘Thank you to Strictly Come Dancing for sending her my way. My life is richer with you in it. I hope we dance long after this has ended.’
Annabel and her partner danced the Viennese waltz to Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by Slow Moving Millie, with judge Craig Revel Horwood choosing to save them.
Following her departure, Annabel, who lost her yachtsman husband Mel Coleman in May when he died of colon cancer just 16 weeks after he was diagnosed, lauded her Strictly partner Johannes for ‘giving her a reason to get out of bed’ (Annabel and Mel in 2021)
Annabel Croft was the tenth star to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2023 following Sunday’s dreaded dance off
Annabel and Johannes danced their Viennese Waltz to Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by Slow Moving Millie
Annabel’s exit means that the 2023 finalists have been revealed as Bobby and Dianne, Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola and Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
But Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke saved Bobby, 20, and his partner Dianne Buswell. Head judge Shirley Ballas didn’t need to cast a vote but if she did, she would have also saved Brazier and Ms Buswell.
They will face actress Ellie Leach and theatre star Layton Williams and their respective partners Vito Coppola and Nikita Kuzmin in Saturday’s finale.
Strictly insiders expect it to be one of the closest finals ever, with Ellie currently the bookies’ favourite.
