03 July 2023 , 14:47
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Tennis star Annabel Croft is bravely returning to our TV screens just weeks after she lost her husband to cancer.
Croft. who in 1984 reached the third round at Wimbledon before retiring from the sport aged just 21, will be seen on Today at Wimbledon and other BBC shows during the tournament.
In May, she lost her husband Mel Coleman aged just 60, having been married for more than 30 years. The couple have three grown-up children, named Charlie, Amber and Lily.
Coleman himself boasted sporting credentials as a former America's Cup yachtsman - and he and Croft also ran a tennis school together.
But the family were left devastated when Coleman was diagnosed with stage three cancer after complaining of sudden stomach problems. And on May 26, Croft, now a renowned television personality, announced tragic news.
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"My beloved husband Mel passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning after a short battle with cancer," said Croft, 56. "My family and I are completely heartbroken and ask for privacy at this very sad time."
Croft was a professional tennis player before retiring and meeting Coleman (Eurosport)A friend told the Daily Mail at the time: "This has come as an extreme shock to everyone – the diagnosis was out of the blue and Mel did not seem unwell at the time.
"Sadly the cancer progressed brutally.... Everyone is devastated and horrified, and Annabel is absolutely shattered."
Fans of the star moved to offered condolences: "Tragic. So sad, always watched her at Wimbledon, amazing lady, so sad, heartbreaking, thoughts with Annabel and all family and loved ones," one posted.
Another wrote: "Dear Annabel, I’m so sad to hear about your beloved husband. Sending you, your families and friends, my condolences, much love and strength. May your husband’s sleep be peaceful."
As a player, Croft won the WTA Tour event Virginia Slims of San Diego and also represented Great Britain in the Fed Cup and the Wightman Cup. She reached a career high of world No 24, and has since covered tennis for for Eurosport, Sky Sports and the BBC.
In recent years the couple had converted an old delivery van into a mobile home which they took all across across Europe, going on numerous walking holidays. They named the vehicle, which they transformed as part of a lockdown project, 'Vannabel'.