01 November 2023 , 00:03
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Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Annabel Croft, has emotionally revealed that her couple's choice dance on Saturday will be in honour of her late husband Mel Coleman.
The tennis legend, 57, appeared on Tuesday's It Takes Two with pro dance partner Johannes Radebe, where they discussed the upcoming routine, which will be performed to Wings by Birdy. Annabel admitted she "literally sobbed" over the song choice as the words and lyrics "mean so much".
Annabel continued: "It has been a horrific year, I can't even put it into words, poor Johannes. He has had to cope with quite a few tears backstage and in rehearsal rooms. It can come at any time, grief is something you can't explain to anyone and it just comes in great big waves. This dance, I want to do this for Mel, there's a lot of meaning behind the dance. It's really special to be able to do it. I just hope that Mel is watching from somewhere, to watch, and will hopefully be proud."
Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Annabel Croft, has emotionally revealed that her couple's choice dance on Saturday will be in honour of her late husband Mel ColemanAnnabel's husband of 36 years, Mel, tragically died from cancer aged 60 in May – just 16 weeks after diagnosis. Speaking earlier this month, Annabel admitted being partnered with her late husband’s favourite Strictly professional, Johannes, is providing some solace.
"I find the performing terrifying. I feel physically sick, but the effort involved means your brain doesn’t have room for anything else," she told the Daily Mail. "It’s bringing joy, or at least a glimmer of it, back into my life… Johannes is like an angel who came into my life to alleviate the pain, a little."
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Describing Strictly Come Dancing as a sanity-saver, she added: "When I got the offer I thought, actually, what else am I going to be doing — coming home at 4pm to a dark, empty house, a house Mel built, in the winter? Also, I’m an athlete. The idea of using my body to try to alleviate something — the pain, I guess — was appealing…
"Glitterball or no Glitterball, I will have had a wonderful and joyful experience. I’m just getting through every day. If this last year has taught me anything it is this: don’t focus on the future — concentrate on today."
Strictly Come Dancing continues every Saturday with the results show airing on Sunday on BBC One. Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.