FORMER tennis ace Annabel Croft has told how she was inspired to go on Strictly by the sudden death of her husband who loved the show.
Sports broadcaster Annabel, 56, said she signed up to take part as investment banker Mel Coleman, who died in May aged 60, was often moved to tears when he watched it.
She lost her partner, a former professional yachtsman, eight weeks after he complained of stomach pain and was subsequently diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer.
The couple, who met in 1987, had three now-adult children who are thrilled their tennis pundit mum is taking part in this season’s Strictly to help distract her from her grief and, she says, “find a little joy”.
Annabel, who at 15 was the youngest Brit to compete at Wimbledon for almost a century, said: “Mel always loved Strictly.