Strictly Come Dancing hopeful Annabel Croft has said she’s hoping being part of the 2023 series will help her find “joy” following her husband’s passing earlier this year.
Croft’s husband Mel Coleman died in May following a battle with cancer and previously said that the show has “come at the right time” for her.
Speaking to the Standard ahead of the new series, the 57-year-old said: “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.”
Reflecting on the experience thus far, she added: “I’ve always loved watching dance. I’m completely mesmerised by watching dancers. I could spend all of the rehearsal time watching them.
“But it feels like – it’s like being told, ‘You’re going to go and partner Roger Federer in mixed doubles.’ It’s amazing, you’ll never get this opportunity again.”
The former British number one tennis player admitted that she and her late husband used to watch the BBC ballroom series, and recalled how the performances often moved him.
“My husband did love the show,” she shared. “He absolutely loved it. He used to cry watching it.
“He used to call me over if I was cooking, and he was crying watching it. So, I hope he’s watching [up] there.”
Croft was the youngest Briton to compete in the Wimbledon Championships for almost a century at the age of 15 before becoming a junior champion at the tournament in 1984 at the age of 18.
Now a broadcaster for the BBC, she joins soap stars ex-Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach as well as EastEnders actors both past and present, Bobby Brazier and Nigel Harman competing in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The line-up also includes Paralympic champion Jody Cundy as well as BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast Show host Nikita Kanda and Waterloo Road star Adam Thomas.
Actress Amanda Abbington, Bad Education star Layton Williams along with news broadcaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy, comedian Eddie Kadi, Les Dennis, Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon and Zara McDermott are also set to appear.
