ANNABEL Croft has opened up about her devastating final moments with her husband Mel Coleman before his tragic death.
Back in May, the tennis star announced that her husband Mel of 30 years had passed away from stomach cancer.
Annabel revealed the first signs Mel was ill was in January when he complained of stomach pains, which doctors thought could be diverticulitis.
His GP referred him for tests before later being referred for a scan.
Mel then had several other appointments before they went to see a specialist, who broke the life-changing news to the couple that the yachtsman had just weeks to live.
Leading up to his final moments, Annabel recalled how she tried to help shave Mel before her friend Isabella was coming over for lunch.
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In a candid interview, she told the MailOnline: "I tried to help him shave. I brought a stool for him to sit on, but he was collapsing into the sink. He couldn't manage a shower, not even with my help. He said: 'It would kill me'."
Isabella then arrived at their home and immediately called for the ambulance.
Their children — Amber, Charlie and Lily – rushed to the hospital with their partners.
The Strictly star referred to the many nurses at the hospital as "angels", but said her most vivid memory is of one who, she says, was not.
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She described how she requested the one nurse to talk to her privately about her husband's state but seemed to "take pleasure in telling Mel he was dying".
Mel then suddenly perked up after he had been drifting in and out of consciousness and said he didn't want a DNR, a do-not-resuscitate order.
"This nurse said: 'Listen to me. He's got cancer. We are not resuscitating him.' Like she was enjoying it. I'm haunted by that. So many nights it has kept me awake, remembering the tone of her voice. It was cruel," said Annabel.
But something suddenly shifted as Mel started saying goodbye and it was at that moment everyone "knew he was dying".
When asked if she had the chance to say goodbye, she replied: "Not really. It happened so quickly. He was drifting in and out of consciousness.
"And then we . . . watched him die. He took his last breath."
Mel passed away in May 2023, just eight weeks after being diagnosed with stage three cancer.
He was just 60 years old at the time of his death.
Releasing a statement at the time of his death, Annabel said: "My beloved husband Mel passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning after a short battle with cancer.
"My family and I are completely heartbroken and ask for privacy at this very sad time."
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Annabel married Mel in 1992 after they met by chance just before she hung up her racket as a professional player.
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