Annabel Croft – Husband’s Death, Strictly, and Her Life in 2025

Annabel Croft is a British former professional tennis player and broadcaster who re-entered the public spotlight in 2023 as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. Her personal life, including the death of her husband Mel Coleman after a short illness, has drawn significant attention alongside her career achievements.

From her early days as a teenage tennis prodigy to her current role as a television presenter and motivational speaker, Croft has navigated a series of public transitions. The death of her husband in 2023 and her subsequent participation in the BBC dance competition reshaped how many people view her, prompting questions about her current life, relationships, and future plans.

This article draws on verified sources to provide a clear, factual account of Annabel Croft’s biography, career, family, and the key events that have shaped her story.

What Is Annabel Croft Doing Now?

Annabel Croft remains active in the media and public speaking circuit. According to her official biography, in 2024 she presented and commentated for Sky Sports and the BBC at major tennis tournaments, including Wimbledon and the US Open. She also announced a speaking tour titled “Annabel Croft on Life, Loss & Resilience.”

• ✔ Croft continues to work as a tennis pundit and presenter.
• ✔ Her husband’s death in 2023 was a major public emotional event.
• ✔ Strictly Come Dancing reintroduced her to a younger audience.
• ✔ Public curiosity about her current relationship status remains high, but no confirmed information exists.
• ✔ Her net worth is often searched but not reliably reported in any verified source.
• ✔ She is active on social media, sharing updates about her work and life.

How Did Annabel Croft’s Husband Die?

The Story of Mel and Annabel

Annabel Croft married Mel Coleman, a former international America’s Cup and Admiral’s Cup yachtsman who later worked as an investment banker, according to biographical sources. The couple married in 1992 or 1993 (one source gives 10 July 1993) and lived in Coombe, near Wimbledon, Kingston, London. They had three children together.

Coping with Loss: Annabel’s Public Statements

Mel Coleman died on 24 May 2023 after a short illness from stomach cancer. Croft publicly referred to losing him in 2023, describing his death as a short illness from cancer. The news was widely reported in UK media, and Croft’s participation in Strictly Come Dancing shortly afterward was framed as a way of finding joy after bereavement, according to The Independent.

Tribute and Legacy

Croft has spoken about her husband in interviews and on social media, remembering him as a supportive partner. Her official biography notes that she is now a widow and mother of three, and she continues to honour his memory through her public work.

Does Annabel Croft Have Children?

Family Life After the Loss of Their Father

Annabel Croft has three children: Amber Rose, Charlie, and Lily. Their names are listed in multiple reliable sources, including Wikipedia and her official biography. The family resided in Coombe, near Wimbledon, and the children have largely stayed out of the public eye.

Annabel’s Role as a Mother

After the death of their father, Croft has spoken about the importance of family support. She has not publicly shared the ages of her children in detail, but they are known to be young adults. In interviews, she has described her children as a source of strength during her bereavement and her Strictly journey.

What Was Annabel Croft’s Tennis Career Like?

Rise to British Number One

Annabel Croft began playing tennis at a young age and won the Australian Open junior title in 1984. She reached the third round at Wimbledon the same year. By 1985, she became British No.1 and achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No.24, according to biographical records. She also won a WTA Tour title in San Diego.

Early Retirement at 21

Croft retired from professional tennis at age 21 in 1988. Sources note that she chose to step away from the tour to avoid burnout and to pursue other interests. Her retirement was early compared to many peers, but it opened the door to a media career.

Move into Broadcasting

After retiring, Croft transitioned into television and radio. She appeared on the 1980s show Treasure Hunt and later became a tennis pundit and presenter for BBC, Sky Sports, Eurosport, and Amazon Prime. Her official biography states she is particularly known for her broadcasting work around major tennis events.

What Are the Key Milestones in Annabel Croft’s Life?

1. 1966 Born in Farnborough, England
2. 1984 Wins Australian Open Junior Title; reaches Wimbledon 3rd round
3. 1985 Becomes British No.1
4. 1988 Retires from professional tennis at age 21
5. 1990s–2000s Builds TV/radio career (Sky Sports, BBC Radio 5 Live)
6. 1992/1993 Marries Mel Coleman
7. 2023 Husband Mel dies of stomach cancer (24 May)
8. 2023 Participates in Strictly Come Dancing (Series 21), finishes 4th
9. 2024 Announces speaking tour; continues broadcasting for Sky Sports and BBC

What We Know vs. What’s Unclear

What Context Explains the Public Interest in Annabel Croft?

The spike in public interest around Annabel Croft can be traced to two major events: the death of her husband in May 2023 and her participation in Strictly Come Dancing just months later. Media coverage portrayed her Strictly journey as a story of resilience after grief, which resonated with many viewers. Additionally, her early retirement from tennis at 21 and successful transition into broadcasting have made her a notable figure in discussions about female athletes moving into media roles.

Croft’s ability to maintain a public presence while navigating personal tragedy has kept her in the news. The lack of confirmed information about a new partner or her net worth has also fueled ongoing curiosity, though no verified sources have addressed these topics.

Where Does the Information Come From?

The facts in this article are drawn from publicly available sources, including Annabel Croft’s official website, Wikipedia, and reputable news outlets. No speculation or unverified claims have been included.

“I’ve had the most incredible support from the public. It’s been overwhelming.” — Annabel Croft, in interviews following her Strictly appearance.

— The Independent, 2023

“Losing Mel was devastating, but I wanted to show my children that life can still have joy.” — Annabel Croft, speaking on her motivation for Strictly.

— BBC News, 2023

For additional context, see the Wikipedia entry and the official biography. Tennis statistics are available via the WTA official profile.

What Is Annabel Croft’s Current Status?

Annabel Croft continues to work as a broadcaster and motivational speaker. She has not confirmed any new romantic relationship, and no reliable source has reported a change in her relationship status. Her professional focus remains on tennis commentary, speaking engagements, and occasional television appearances. The public interest in her story shows no signs of fading, but the facts about her personal life remain limited to what she has chosen to share.

For more about former Strictly professionals, see Kevin Clifton. For comparisons with other British tennis figures, read about Andy Murray.

Frequently Asked Questions