When Annabel Croft’s husband died almost two years ago, she said she was able to do little more than sob at home.
But the former British tennis star couldn’t stop smiling last week as she enjoyed lunch with a handsome male friend.
Ms Croft, 58, dined at Scott’s restaurant in London’s Mayfair where she was seen looking at a mobile phone with banker Huw Williams.
While he isn’t thought to be a potential suitor for the star, she certainly enjoyed his company.
They giggled the afternoon away, and at one point Mr Williams was seen putting his arm affectionately around her.
They were seen clasping one another’s hands on the table.
Annabel Croft was seen getting close with banker Huw Williams last week at Scott’s restaurant in London’s Mayfair
The Tennis and Strictly star was seen looking at her phone together with pal Huw
The banker also affectionately put an arm around Ms Croft after leaving the restaurant together
Mr Williams, 60, is a financial expert with decades of experience in private banking. It is almost two years since Ms Croft lost her husband of 30 years, Mel Coleman, a former international America’s Cup yachtsman.
He was diagnosed with colon cancer just 16 weeks before his death aged 60. Ms Croft made it to the semi-finals of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 only months after Mr Coleman passed away.
His death left her distraught and she has spoken publicly about trying to move on with her life.
And while last week’s lunch date was not thought to be romantic, she said last November that she had not had therapy but was supported by friends and family through her grief.
Ms Croft lost her husband of 30 years, Mel Coleman,two years ago to colon cancer (pictured in 2021)
Mr Williams, 60, is a financial expert with decades of experience in private banking
While he isn’t thought to be a potential suitor for the star, she certainly enjoyed his company
The death of her husband Mel Coleman left Ms Croft distraught and she has spoken publicly about trying to move on with her life
Ms Croft has said she had not had therapy but was supported by friends and family through her grief
She also revealed she had been asked out romantically, adding: ‘I’ve had people ask for dinner dates. I’m like “You have no idea!”’
‘I’m not anywhere close to that. It gives me the heebies to think about it. It’s never say never, but I wouldn’t mind if it was never,’ Ms Croft said
Ms Croft revealed in November she sleeps with her late husband’s scarf every night and still dresses to impress him
Last week’s lunch is thought not to be romantic despite clear fondness for each other and hand holding
At one point the pair even touched heads while sitting at Scott’s in London’s Mayfair
Ms Croft also confessed she will often consciously wear clothes that she knows her husband loved as Mel was ‘always incredibly complimentary’ about what she wore
Mel ‘always made me feel like the most important woman in the world,’ she said in November
She added that she regrets not giving her husband enough compliments when he was alive
Mr Williams makes to put his arm around the tennis star after a lunch in Mayfair
Ms Croft made it to the semi-finals of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 only months after Mr Coleman passed away
She also revealed she had been asked out romantically, adding: ‘I’ve had people ask for dinner dates. I’m like “You have no idea!”’
The star, mother to Amber, 28, Charlie, 27 and Lily, 25, added: ‘I’m not anywhere close to that. It gives me the heebies to think about it. It’s never say never, but I wouldn’t mind if it was never.’
During Strictly, she paid tribute to Mr Coleman with dance partner Johannes Radebe. They dedicated their couple’s choice routine to him, dancing to Wings by Birdy.
