Johannes Radebe has stepped in to offer his support to Annabel Croft following the BBC Wimbledon star’s career announcement. The former Strictly Come Dancing celebrity contestant, who was paired with Johannes last year, concluded her involvement in a tennis tournament last week.
On Monday, she took to Instagram to share: “It was amazing to work on the hugely successful 6 Kings Slam event last week! The level of tennis was jaw dropping. Congratulations to world number 1 @janniksin who was crowned the king for the inaugural event.”
“So lovely to work in the studio alongside @gregrusedski1 again and the charming @ade.oladipo for @daznsport! ” Annabel’s post was met with an outpouring of supportive messages from her friends and followers, including Johannes who commented: “You’re looking amazing.”
The South African dancer also sent a red heart emoji. This comes a month after Croft courageously shared that she has begun to sort through the belongings of her late husband Mel Coleman, 16 months after his passing.
The former tennis champion and Strictly Come Dancing star hosted This Morning’s bereavement phone-in in September, where she discussed the “rain shower” of grief brought on by taking Coleman’s shoes to the tip this week, reports Birmingham Live.
Croft has spoken about being “devastated” by the loss of the future she had envisioned with her partner, describing the pain as “like a dagger going through me”. She explained her coping mechanism: “I call them rain showers, and when they come I just let it all out. Actually, I had one yesterday, I went to the tip to take my husband’s shoes, which was the first time I started to clear his things – it’s been about 16 months now.”
She added, “I just let those tears come out and I feel so much better when they come out and they’re gone. Grief will go on for a very, very long time, I don’t think it will ever leave any of us and I think it’s so important for all of us to share our grief.”