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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Jon Doel

'Heartbroken' TV presenter Annabel Croft announces husband's death

Wimbledon tennis star and TV presenter Annabel Croft says she is "heartbroken" after the death of her husband.

Ms Croft announced the passing of Mel Coleman, 60, just weeks after he was diagnosed with stage three cancer following sudden stomach problems.

"My beloved husband Mel passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning after a short battle with cancer," said Ms Croft, 56.

"My family and I are completely heartbroken and ask for privacy at this very sad time."

Ms Croft reached the third round at Wimbledon in 1984 before retiring from the sport at just 21-years-old. She met Coleman, a former America's Cup yachtsman, shortly after ending her playing career. They were married for more than 30 years and have three grown-up children, named Charlie, Amber and Lily.

Ms Croft has become one of the main faces of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage, as well as covering other tournaments around the world for Sky Sports and other media organisations.

The couple became known in recent years for converting an old delivery van into a mobile home which they took around Europe. They named the vehicle, which they transformed as part of a lockdown project, 'Vannabel'.

As well as being a talented yachtsman, Mr Coleman was also a successful investment banker who ran a tennis school with his wife.

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