It’s a funny old world
THIS WEEK’S COLUMNIST Strictly star and tennis icon Annabel Croft
I finished the Strictly Come Dancing tour a couple of months ago, which was wonderful. It was a surreal experience walking out into arenas in front of thousands of people, then dancing live.
The tour marked the end of my Strictly journey. I’ve done jobs before where you don’t want it to end, but this one felt particularly special.
I became close to my TV dance partner Johannes Radebe, and so did my children Amber, 29, Lily, 25, and Charlie, 28 – he’s been over to our house for supper many times and after the final, neither of us could bear not to speak every day!
My tennis background steeled me well for Strictly. Unlike some contestants, for whom criticism was new territory, I always took what the judges said with a pinch of salt then tried to work on whatever they said, because as a tennis player, I was always being corrected.
Johannes and I connected through more than just dance. He was a huge support as I navigated Strictly without my husband Mel, who passed away last May. Johannes’ dad died when he was young, then in 2021, he lost his aunt – the person who got him dancing and paid for his dance lessons – so we understood each other.
Strictly was a distraction from grief and I laughed a lot in rehearsals. Did I ever feel guilty for that? No, because Mel had a brilliant sense of humour and would have wanted that laughter.
Since losing Mel, nothing really means anything any more, which has provided perspective, especially when doing live television presenting – now I think, ‘What’s the worst thing that can happen?’ I’m a mum of three grown-up children, I’m widowed and I’ve been through my sporting career, so I feel less panicked and I just enjoy the buzz.
I have done tennis commentary for more than 25 years, and in the beginning, I was a bit apprehensive. Clare Balding gave me confidence by saying, ‘Don’t put yourself down. Remember that I’ve never played at Wimbledon and nor have m
