14 August 2023 , 15:04
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In a heartwarming tribute to her late husband, Strictly star Annabel Croft has revealed he was a "huge fan" of the popular dance show. However, she insists she won't be taking herself "too seriously" on the dance floor.
The former British number one tennis player and renowned broadcaster is set to dazzle audiences as part of the star-studded line-up for the new series of BBC's flagship show, Strictly Come Dancing.
Croft, who made history as the youngest Briton to compete in the Wimbledon Championships at just 15 years old before clinching the junior champion title in 1984 at 18, believes participating in the show has "come at the right time for me". This comes after the tragic announcement of her husband Mel Coleman's death from cancer in May.
Speaking to the PA news agency, an excited Croft shared: "I'm so thrilled to be taking part in the programme." She added, "I've always been a big fan of the show, my husband was a really huge fan of it."
She views this opportunity as a chance to embrace a new challenge and have fun in the process, vowing not to take herself too seriously.
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Annabel Croft says her late husband was a 'huge fan' of Strictly (PA Archive)
Tennis star Annabel says the show has 'come at the right time' for her (PA Wire)Croft, who also serves as an ambassador for padel tennis, expressed these sentiments during the launch of the new court at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London. She hopes the new facility will inspire more people to take up the sport, stating: "I think it's slightly easier to play than tennis, tennis has a lot of different elements to it."
In a refreshing change of pace, the sport of Padel is making waves and winning hearts with its unique charm. "Padel is a different type of bat, it sounds really good when you play. You can have some really fun rallies, you get some really good rallies going with your partners, you always play doubles and you laugh a lot. I've always enjoyed playing padel," an enthusiast shared.
She further added, "It's a little bit different to tennis, it's great fun. I think I find myself laughing a lot more on a padel court." The sport, known for its inclusivity, invites everyone to join in the fun. "You just come out and have fun. Anyone can play. It's very inclusive. You don't need to be a member to come and play here."
Padel, a hybrid of tennis and squash, is rapidly gaining popularity in Europe and has become Spain's second most popular sport after football. Played mainly in a doubles format on an enclosed court that is two-thirds the size of a tennis court, it boasts high-profile fans like Andy Murray, David Beckham, and Lionel Messi.
Croft, a new fan of the sport, is set to make her debut on the Strictly dance floor this autumn. Other celebrities joining the line-up this year include Angela Rippon, Les Dennis, and Zara McDermott.
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI tool, which speeds up The Mirror's editorial research. An editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]