But Annabel Croft says whirling around the ballroom is just what she needs to smile again.
The former junior Wimbledon winner, 57, now a tennis commentator, said: “I just love the fact that it takes you away to a different place.
“We’re trying to get there, I don’t think I’ve got there yet.
“But try to feel the music and once you’ve got the steps, just to let go of everything…just dance and be free in your spirit.”
Annabel, who lost her husband, America’s and Admiral’s Cup yachtsman Mel Coleman, 60, to cancer in May, added: “I did ballet when I was about four, but you have no inhibitions as a child.
“You have no baggage attached to you, so you’re just very free. It’s taking me back to some of my childhood a little bit. It’s really liberating.
“It’s like every day there’s a process and literally every second of every day is filled. But I’m enjoying it. I’m really loving it actually.”
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This week mum-of-three Annabel and dance partner Johannes Radebe are performing a jive to Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man.
She has been training hard alongside fellow Strictly contenders including Angela Rippon, Ellie Leach, Bobby Brazier and Nigel Harman.
Mel and Annabel had been together for 36 years when he died, just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. No one would have blamed Annabel for refusing or postponing the chance to do Strictly.
But Mel was a big fan of the hit BBC contest and, despite admitting to nerves and a painful night of tears before the first week, Annabel said the show was “bringing joy” into her life.
She is used to discipline and working hard. Her years of tennis training won her Wimbledon and Australian Open girls’ tournaments at 17.
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Annabel, who retired from the sport at 21 and moved to TV work, said: “This is definitely taking me back to more of the structured routine of being a professional tennis player.
“I think all athletes and people who are competitive love that routine, they love the training.
“And it’s nice just to get out of bed and know exactly what you’re doing that day and you’re just going to go to it and work as hard as you can.”
She said of her daily 10-hour Strictly training: “The first week is just exhausting. I just thought ‘Oh my God, I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck’. I just couldn’t get out of bed.
“But I’ve got used to it now, my body’s adapted to what’s required. I just feel like I enjoy it. So it’s like, what else am I going to do? Go home and just twiddle my thumbs?
“I’m learning so much, it’s unbelievable. I’ll be sad when it’s all over.”
Pro Johannes added: “I’ve never worked this many hours since I’ve been on Strictly. I’ve got somebody who pushes me and it’s just lovely she’s really here to learn how to dance and to say it’s not about the glory of it all.”
- Strictly Come Dancing will be screened at 6.30pm today and tomorrow on BBC1. Both shows will also be available on BBC iPlayer
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