Annabel Croft on how Strictly has helped her after husband’s death

Broadcaster and former tennis star Annabel Croft has explained how appearing on Strictly Come Dancing this year has helped her following the death of her husband – giving her a reason “to get up in the morning”.

Mel Coleman – to whom she had been married for 30 years – died from cancer earlier this year and, speaking during an appearance on Good Morning Britain yesterday (Friday 3rd November), Croft revealed how she was “grateful” to be part of the Strictly line-up.

“It’s come at such an incredibly dark time in my life,” she explained. “I don’t where I would be without it.”

She added: “I always said that I never really knew grief. I had no concept of it. It’s given me a reason to be able to get up in the morning and have purpose rather than just sobbing at home, which does still happen sometimes.”

Ahead of the season, she had revealed how she hoped taking part in the show would help her “find some joy” again.

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“I think, what an amazing time to try and find some joy, and just to be thrown into something to take your mind off things,” she told the Evening Standard at the time.

Last week Annabel and her professional partner Johannes Radebe finished eighth in the Strictly leaderboard with a score of 29 – and they’ll be hoping to climb a few places in the standings with their Couple’s Choice routine to Wings by Birdy this week.

Strictly Come Dancing continues with the results show on Sunday 5th November at 7:15pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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