Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft recently admitted that she was overcome with emotion and “just sat and cried” before she made her first Strictly debut without her late husband.
The star had to face the dance floor for the first time without the support of her husband Mel Coleman, who she tragically lost earlier this year after he died from cancer.
The former America’s Cup yachtsman, who co-ran a tennis school with Annabel, was diagnosed with stage three cancer after complaining of sudden stomach problems,the Mirror reported.
Annabel, who has been paired with pro dance partnerJohannes Radebe, spoke about her husband's sudden diagnosis in an interview with MailOnline and said: “It's unthinkable. How can someone disappear in three months? We didn't even know he was ill”.
Recalling the night before she made her debut on the dancefloor, Annabel said: “I just sat and cried. Mel was my biggest supporter, my protector. He gave me confidence.”
She went on to say that she “wanted to talk to him” and let him know she was nervous.
The star heartbreakingly added: “It was a weird scenario. I was about to go out in front of millions of people and be jolly and happy but I was sobbing, thinking: 'I don't know where you are, Mel. Where have you gone?'.”
The tennis star, 57, revealed on Tuesday's Strictly It Takes Two that she would be dancing a Couple’s Choice dance with Johannes, set to Wings by Birdy.
Speaking on the show she admitted that there have been “quite a few tears backstage” and “it can come at anytime” as she said grief is something you "can't explain".
Annabel explained that this dance in particular was something she wanted to do to honour Mel and his love of all things Strictly Come Dancing. Revealing that there is “a lot of meaning behind the dance”, Annabel said she hoped “Mel is watching” and “hopefully will be proud”.
Annabel made history as the youngest Brit to compete at Wimbledon in almost a century, entering the prestigious tournament at just 15 years old and securing the championship three years later.
Mel and Annabel officially tied the knot when she was 21, six years after they met during their appearance on a TV show that aimed to teach people about sailing.
The couple went on to have three children together, Amber, Lily, and Charlie, who are now grown up.
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