Strictly judges in tears over Annabel Croft's emotional dance for late husband

04 November 2023 , 20:03

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Strictly judges in tears over Annabel Croft's emotional dance for late husband

Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Annabel Croft, left the judges in tears with her emotional couple's choice dance in honour of her late husband Mel Coleman on Saturday night.

The tennis legend's, 57, husband of 36 years, Mel, tragically died from cancer aged 60 in May – just 16 weeks after diagnosis. Annabel and pro dance partner Johannes Radebe performed a couple's choice dance on Saturday to Wings by Birdy, where it ended with Annabel blowing a kiss to the sky, which left the judges emotional and Shirley Ballas wiping away tears.

Shirley, 63, who was clutching tissues and tearful, said during her feedback: "I don't tend to get very emotional... the stars were in the sky, you sat on your favourite bench, you danced with the most beautiful human. I didn't know your husband but I feel like I do." She added: "I have no words, it was just lovely!"

Strictly Come Dancing contestant, Annabel Croft, left the judges in tears with her emotional couple's choice dance in honour of her late husband Mel Coleman on Saturday night

Speaking to host Claudia Winkleman after the dance, Annabel said: "It's obviously been a really emotional week and it's been difficult to not keep bursting into tears over it." She added to pro dance partner Johannes: "You have been an angel in my life and you've brought so much joy back to my life. So thank you!" The duo scored 35 points for the emotional routine.

Earlier this week, Annabel admitted she "literally sobbed" over the song choice as the words and lyrics "mean so much". Speaking on spin-off show, It Takes Two, 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.

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"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."

Shirley Ballas was wiping away tears after the routine

Speaking last 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."

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.

Olivia Wheeler