Lorraine: Annabel Croft explains Christmas plans
Strictly Come Dancing’s Annabel Croft has revealed that she and her children will “get away” this Christmas as they don’t want to be in the family home following her husband’s tragic death. The former tennis ace turned commentator made the heartbreaking revelation during an appearance on Lorraine this morning.
Speaking to stand-in host Ranvir Singh, she admitted that the family were going to do something “a little bit different” this year. “We’re going to try and do something a little bit different this year and just get away,” she said.
“I mean nobody wanted to be in the house really,” she admitted. “Nobody wanted to carve the turkey?” enquired Ranvir. “Well exactly,” Annabel confessed, “because Mel always carved the turkey. And he did the ham and he was always sort of busybodying around in the kitchen and just enjoying a normal Christmas,” she reminisced.
She also admitted that her time on Strictly had made it difficult to prepare for the festive season. “I always feel like this Christmas is weird anyway because I haven’t had time to do a single Christmas card – all my friends and family aren’t getting one,” she said.
“I just didn’t have time. I mean literally leaving the house 7.30am every morning, getting back sometimes late at night…So no time to go shopping or Christmas shopping. So it’s a bit weird this year but maybe that’s a good thing.”
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Annabel’s husband Mel Coleman died in May after a short battle with cancer.
The tennis icon announced the death of her husband after 30 years of marriage in a statement released by the family, which said they had been left “completely heartbroken” by the loss.
In the statement, she paid tribute to her long-time partner saying: “My beloved husband Mel passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning after a short battle with cancer,” she said.
“My family and I are completely heartbroken and ask for privacy at this very sad time.”
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Mel complained of having stomach pains before tests revealed that he had been suffering from stage three cancer.
His diagnosis was confirmed only a matter of weeks before he died and his condition deteriorated quicker than expected before he passed away at the age of 60.
He was a former America’s Cup yachtsman and met Annabel when she travelled to the Channel Islands to film a programme. They married in 1992.
The couple lived in Coombe, near Wimbledon, and had three grown-up children together – Charlie, Amber and Lily.
Lorraine is on ITV on Weekday mornings at 9am.
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