ANNABEL Croft is best known for being a former tennis pro.
She tends to keep her personal life private but has opened up about the passing of her husband Mel Coleman.
Who is Annabel Croft?
Annabel Croft is a former British No. 1 female tennis player and now works as a radio and television presenter.
Her latest challenge is taking on the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom as she ditches her tennis racket for her dancing shoes.
She was born in Farnborough, Hampshire, in 1966.
She became a professional tennis player in 1984 and was ranked number 24 in the world before her shock retirement in 1986 aged just 21.
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Croft won both the Wimbledon and Australian Open girls' tournaments in 1984 and just a year later she won her only singles title – the Virginia Slims of San Diego tournament.
Who was Annabel Croft's husband Mel Coleman?
Mel Coleman was married to Annabel since 1992 and was a professional yachtsman and investment banker.
He took part in the America's Cup and more recently ran a tennis school with his wife.
Following Covid lockdowns the pair of them converted an old delivery van into a mobile home and took it around the country and into Europe on walking holidays together.
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The couple have three grown-up children, Charlie, Amber and Lily.
When did Annabel Croft's husband Mel Coleman pass away?
Mel passed away in May 2023, just eight weeks after complaining of stomach pain and being diagnosed with stage three cancer.
He was just 60-years-old when he passed away.
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."
A friend told the Daily Mail at the time: "This has come as an extreme shock to everyone – the diagnosis was out of the blue and Mel did not seem unwell at the time.
"Sadly the cancer progressed brutally…. Everyone is devastated and horrified, and Annabel is absolutely shattered."
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