This Morning: Annabel Croft speaks about losing her husband

Annabel Croft has admitted that competing on Strictly Come Dancing this year has been “very healing” following the tragic loss of her husband. The tennis ace was previously married to Mel Coleman for 36 years before he sadly died in May this year.

The 57-year-old, who will be competing for a place in next week’s final, shared that she was “sinking” before she signed up for the BBC dance competition and that it has since become her “saviour.”

Speaking to The Sun, she admitted: “It’s very healing. It has been my saviour. I would be sinking or crawling under a rock at home. I’m not quite sure where I would be mentally if I hadn’t had this to be focusing on and giving me a purpose to get out of bed.”

Mel, who was aged 60, when he died in May this year, was a professional yachtsman and investment banker who married Annabel in 1993. The couple share three children; Amber Rose, Lily and Charlie.

Annabel is coupled with professional dancer Johannes Radebe and the pair have continued to wow the judges week after week. The pair are aiming to book their place in next week’s final tonight.

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The duo will be performing two routines on the dancefloor this evening; a salsa to the soundtrack You’ll Be Mine (Party Time) by Gloria Estefan and a Viennese waltz to the song Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want, by Slow Moving Millie.

Annabel is up against Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach, EastEnders star Bobby Brazier and West End actor Layton Williams as they all compete for the highly-coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Last week, Nigel Harman and his pro partner Katya were forced to pull out of the competition just hours before the quarter-final show. The actor revealed that he has sustained an injury which led to his exit.

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A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson has since confirmed that following his early departure, Nigel will be back in the ballroom for the final next week.

They told Express.co.uk: “It is always sad when a contestant leaves the show, particularly when an injury is sustained.

“Nigel will be well missed by those who have worked alongside him on the show and everyone wishes him the very best and looks forward to seeing him at the final on Saturday 16th December.”

When asked if Nigel will be dancing or not, the spokesperson continued: “It’s a live situation, but the plan is that Nigel will be there, yes.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns this Satuday at 7.35pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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