{"id":68174,"date":"2023-10-07T19:22:46","date_gmt":"2023-10-07T19:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotcelebon.com\/?p=68174"},"modified":"2023-10-07T19:22:46","modified_gmt":"2023-10-07T19:22:46","slug":"strictlys-annabel-crofts-life-tragic-death-miserable-career-and-regrets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotcelebon.com\/music\/strictlys-annabel-crofts-life-tragic-death-miserable-career-and-regrets\/","title":{"rendered":"Strictlys Annabel Crofts life – tragic death, miserable career and regrets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former tennis player Annabel Croft impressed fans and judges alike after she took to the dance floor on BBC's hit show Strictly Come Dancing.<\/p>\n

The 57-year-old, who is currently partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe in the star-studded competition, has given stellar performances while keeping her fans on their toes. Previously known as the world's top 25 tennis players, Annabel has shown agility and tenacity on th dance floor.<\/p>\n

But away from the spotlight, the TV presenter experienced family tragedy. Earlier this year, Annabel's husband Mel tragically passed away after losing his batle with cancer. <\/p>\n

READ MORE: Strictly's Adam Thomas admits he 'nearly cried on live TV' after 'tough' moment <\/b><\/p>\n

READ MORE: Want more showbiz? Daily Star has just the thing for you!<\/b><\/p>\n

Daily Star has taken a closer look at her life, her career and how Strictly has helped her get through her "darker" days.<\/p>\n

'Miserable' career<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Annabel currently works a radio and television presenter, but before her flourishing presenting career she was once a professional tennis player. As a tennis player she won the WTA Tour event Virginia Slims of San Diego and she also represented Great Britain in the Fed Cup and the Wightman Cup.<\/p>\n

However, although Annabel was set to take the world by storm with her astonishing talent, the sports star decided to pack it all in by the age of 21 due to the fact that it was no longer making her happy. Previously sharing her thoughts with Daily Star, Annabel admitted, "My heart just wasn't in it".<\/p>\n

She said: "Going on to a tennis court is like going into combat. There\u2019s all this anger and animosity. It\u2019s like a gladiatorial battle.<\/p>\n

"As a child, I\u2019d expected to become a ballerina. Tennis couldn\u2019t have felt more different from Swan Lake!\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The star also confessed that she had no regrets with her decision to put the tennis racket down. She continued: "No, I\u2019ve no regrets about stopping.<\/p>\n

"I\u2019d been on the tour for seven years, surrounded by agents, managers, coaches, sponsors. By 21, I\u2019d lived the life of somebody nearer 35. And I\u2019d come to realise that this life I\u2019d chosen \u2013 the perpetual travelling, the lack of friends \u2013 wasn\u2019t what I\u2019d expected.<\/p>\n

"You give up everything in terms of schooling and social life: no parties, no boys. You don\u2019t grow up the normal way." The star also revealed that she regretted not continuing her ballet career.<\/p>\n

Married life <\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Annabel met her late husband Mel Coleman, who worked as a yachtsman, when she was 21 when the pair were asked to take part in a TV show about sailing.<\/p>\n

She previously said in an interview: "It was the first time I\u2019d hung out with people my age. I put normal clothes on \u2014 not tennis gear. I went to the pub. For the first time, I didn\u2019t have to think about my forehand or my backhand, or walking out in front of crowds.<\/p>\n

Annabel and Mel tied the knot in 1993. The couple lived in Coombe, near Wimbledon, in the London borough of Kingston, with their three children, Amber Rose and Lily and their son, Charlie.<\/p>\n

In 2009, the pair started the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy at the National Tennis Centre. Report also claim that Mel worke as an investment banker at the time.<\/p>\n

Family tragedy<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Annabel lost her husband Mel to cancer.<\/p>\n

Tragically, the father-of-three had only been diagnosed eight weeks prior with the condition before he passed away. Mel previously complained of stomach pains just two months before his diagnosis.<\/p>\n

The star previously shared her reaction when she first heard the news. She said: "I just went into total freefall. I was one of those wailing women in the hospital car park. Poor Mel was the one who\u2019d been told he was going to die, and he was comforting me."<\/p>\n

Sharing the heartbreaking news on social media, Annabel said: "My beloved Mel passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning after a short battle with cancer. My family and I are completely heartbroken and ask for privacy at this very sad time."<\/p>\n

Like what you see? Then fill your boots…<\/h3>\n

There's MUCH more where that came from! Want all the jaw-dropping stories from the world of showbiz and up to the minute news from TV and soaps?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, we've got you covered with our showbiz, TV and soaps newsletters – they'll drop straight into your inbox and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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You can sign up here – you won't regret it…<\/strong><\/p>\n

A friend of the family allegedly told Daily Mail at the time: "This has come as an extreme shock to everyone \u2013 the diagnosis was out of the blue and Mel did not seem unwell at the time. Sadly the cancer progressed brutally…. Everyone is devastated and horrified, and Annabel is absolutely shattered."<\/p>\n

Putting on a brave face, Annabel decided to return back to work after a few weeks and fans made sure they shared their condolences. One social media user said at the time: "Tragic. So sad, always watched her at Wimbledon, amazing lady, so sad, heartbreaking, thoughts with Annabel and all family and loved ones," one posted.<\/p>\n

Strictly distraction<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz <\/i><\/b>here<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Annabel previously admitted that Strictly has been a healthy distraction from her recent loss. <\/p>\n

Appearing on ITV's Lorraine, Annabel told presenter Lorraine Kelly that Strictly has given her joy and has allowed her to stop thinking "dark thoughts". She said: "It's been nice to do something joyful and use my body and try to rest my brain from thinking too many dark thoughts."<\/p>\n

The star also expressed that her husband enjoyed watching the BBC show weekly and she feels sad that he's unable to cheer her on. She previously said: "He always loved the show and he used to cry watching it, so I'm completely heartbroken that he's not here to watch with me." <\/p>\n

In additon to this, Annabel also confessed that her partner Johannes was her husband's professional dancer. Singing his praises while on ITV's Lorraine, Annabel told Johannes that he was an absolute joy to work with.<\/p>\n

For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up for one of our newsletters here<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Former tennis player Annabel Croft impressed fans and judges alike after she took to the dance floor on BBC's hit show Strictly Come Dancing. The 57-year-old, who is currently partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe in the star-studded competition, has given stellar performances while keeping her fans on their toes. Previously known as the world's top 25 tennis players, Annabel […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":68173,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nStrictlys Annabel Crofts life - tragic death, miserable career and regrets - Hotcelebon.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hotcelebon.com\/music\/strictlys-annabel-crofts-life-tragic-death-miserable-career-and-regrets\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Strictlys Annabel Crofts life - tragic death, miserable career and regrets - Hotcelebon.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Former tennis player Annabel Croft impressed fans and judges alike after she took to the dance floor on BBC&apos;s hit show Strictly Come Dancing. 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