Annabel Croft has revealed she’s been trying to convince fellow former tennis pro Tim Henman to take a stab at Strictly, but he’s “terrified”.
In 2023, Annabel, 57, finished fourth on BBC‘s Strictly Come Dancing after reaching the semi-finals, and remains friends with her partner, Johannes Radebe, 37.
The TV and radio presenter said appearing on the show was the “most magical and wonderful” experience of her life, and she’s been trying to “replicate that feeling” ever since.
Annabel told Bella: “I would always recommend it to anybody to go on. I’m always saying to Tim Henman that he should say yes, but he’s terrified.
“He always says, ‘No, I’m never going to do it’. I think anyone would get an amazing experience out of it if they did it because you’re learning a new skill.”
Her stint on the popular show has certainly made an impression, as Annabel now wants to “get dancing back” into her life again, as nothing has made her body feel as “open and agile”.
She said Strictly made her realise that dancing is “so good for you”, and it “did” her a “world of good”, plus it’s “so joyful” and “so beautiful”.
Annabel felt inspired to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing after the tragic death of her husband, Mel Coleman, who died after battling cancer in 2023.
Mel was a huge fan of the show, so she decided to enter to distract herself from her grief, after admitting that she cried every day following his death.
Annabel, who is commentating at The Championships, Wimbledon, this summer, also revealed that she’s still in contact with Johannes, and they remain “very, very good friends”.
Annabel, who was once Britain’s number one female tennis player, also shared her thoughts on Wimbledon 2024, saying “all eyes” will be on Carlos Alcaraz.
Other players she hinted at included Jannik Sinner (the current male number one), Iga Świątek (the female number one), and Ons Jabeur, whom Annabel says is much-loved by the crowd.
She also discussed some of her upcoming projects: “I’ve done some stuff with This Morning recently with my van called “Vannabel”, so I’m looking to do more of that.
“We took it out to Yorkshire and explored the area, and it was a bit like doing Treasure Hunt again, but with my van!”
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