Strictly star Annabel Croft has opened up about dating after her husband's death last May, admitting she may "never" feel ready to meet someone else. The former tennis pro lost her husband Mel Coleman , 60, after he was diagnosed with cancer just eight weeks before. The dad-of-three, a yachtsman and successful investment banker, appeared to be in great health, so the news came as a huge shock to the family.
Annabel, 58, first met in the mid 80s, when they worked on the same BBC yacht racing programme, with the couple going on to get married in 1992 in Kent. They went on to have three children who are now grown up - Amber, Charlie and Lily. But after almost 18 months have passed, Annabel is still understandably reeling from her beloved husband's death, admitting she is not even "close" to going on a date or finding new love.
The star and sportswoman has opened up about her situation in a new interview. Speaking to The Times about any potential love interests, she said: "I’ve had people asking for dinner dates. I’m, like, ‘You have no idea!’ I’m not anywhere close to that.
It gives me the heebies to think about it. It’s never say never, but I wouldn’t mind if it was never." But although she's unsure of the future of her love life, she is certain she won't feel "doom and gloom" forever, saying she tries to "live in the moment", knowing happiness is what Mel would have wanted for her.
She also spoke of Mel's love for Johannes Radebe and Strictly - who she ended up b.