Annabel Croft has shared that she hopes her late husband Mel Coleman would be proud of her Strictly Come Dancing journey.
The former tennis champ, 57, became the 10th celebrity eliminated from Strictly during Sunday night's results show, and on Monday evening she appeared on the companion show It Takes Two.
Annabel and her dance partner Johannes Radebe joined host Fleur East for an interview, which also saw them watch their best bits and a VT in which they reflected on their time together.
In one clip Annabel, whose husband of 36 years died just a few months ago, emotionally told Johannes: "You've actually brought a lot of joy into my life and helped to alleviate the pain."
And opening up about Mel, she continued: "I just hope he's looking down and is proud."
After it was announced that she would be departing the dance competition, just one week before the final, Annabel said: "It’s been the most life-changing and extraordinary experience of my life. I have to congratulate Bobby and Dianne and all the contestants that took part in it.
"But obviously, it’s been an amazing, magical experience for me. Johannes, you have been absolutely extraordinary. You have given me a reason to get out of bed and come and dance with you, distract me and to heal me.
"I can’t thank you enough for that. You have been so patient, so caring and so loving. You are an unbelievably special human being. I simply adore you. Thank you so much."
Annabel, who shares children Amber Rose, Lily and Charlie with Mel, had previously shared how she was honouring her late husband on Strictly.
Annabel and Johannes performed an emotional Couple's Choice dance in memory of Annabel's late husband on the BBC show, which Mel was a huge fan of.
After the emotional performance, Annabel told Johannes: "I just wish you had met my husband, because I have these flashbacks to our house and him watching you with tears running down his face.
"Honestly, it's so special, it's beyond anything I could put into words. He used to cry watching it. He used to call me over if I was cooking, and he was crying watching it. So, I hope he's watching up there."
Annabel met her husband Mel in the 1980s and they were happily married for over 30 years before his tragic death earlier this year.
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