Strictly's Annabel Croft sobs as she admits she may never date anyone again after husband's death

Former Wimbledon ace and Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft lost her husband Mel at the age of 60 in May 2023, just eight weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer

Strictly star Annabel Croft has opened up about dating after her husband's death last May, admitting she may "never" feel ready to meet someone else.

The former tennis pro lost her husband Mel Coleman, 60, after he was diagnosed with cancer just eight weeks before. The dad-of-three, a yachtsman and successful investment banker, appeared to be in great health, so the news came as a huge shock to the family.

Annabel, 58, first met in the mid 80s, when they worked on the same BBC yacht racing programme, with the couple going on to get married in 1992 in Kent. They went on to have three children who are now grown up - Amber, Charlie and Lily.

But after almost 18 months have passed, Annabel is still understandably reeling from her beloved husband's death, admitting she is not even "close" to going on a date or finding new love. The star and sportswoman has opened up about her situation in a new interview.

Speaking to The Times about any potential love interests, she said: "I’ve had people asking 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."

But although she's unsure of the future of her love life, she is certain she won't feel "doom and gloom" forever, saying she tries to "live in the moment", knowing happiness is what Mel would have wanted for her. She also spoke of Mel's love for Johannes Radebe and Strictly - who she ended up being partnered with - saying he was his favourite dancer and Mel was "blown away" by him. Annabel recalled how, although it was "weird" for a football fan, he was "obsessed" with Strictly, and would call the family in to watch Johannes on the dancing competition.

Wimbledon ace Annabel recently delved into her grief on This Morning, admitting she still finds herself in floods of tears on occassion. Speaking with This Morning hosts Ben Shephard, Cat Deeley and guest Dear Deidre, as well as a caller who joined the phone in on 24 September, she explained why it was ok to cry.

Annabel joined the ITV programme alongside iconic agony aunt Dear Deidre to offer up advice to viewers who had lost loved ones recently. One lady phoned in after losing her brother in a car accident at the age of 23. The caller had been struggling to come to terms with her brother's death and looked to Annabel and Deirdre for help. The former tennis star told her: "I think grief is very personal."

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