Latest news with #Croft
Wales Online
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC's Annabel Croft suffered traumatic flashbacks after tragedy
BBC's Annabel Croft suffered traumatic flashbacks after tragedy Annabel Croft has become one of the BBC's most recognisable tennis pundits, but things have been difficult for the 58-year-old away from the court, following the death of her husband Mel Coleman British former tennis player Annabel Croft (Image: 2025 Visionhaus ) Annabel Croft, one of the BBC's most distinguished and recognisable tennis pundits and commentators, has a wealth of expertise and experience in the sport. At 58, she boasts an impressive career, having clinched the junior Wimbledon title back in 1984. Since her debut as a Wimbledon summariser on BBC 5 Live in 2000, she has become a knowledgeable and refined voice for the BBC. However, life off the court hasn't been smooth sailing for Croft, who continues to grieve the loss of her husband Mel Coleman in 2023. Despite her personal loss, she remains a fixture on our screens, providing expert commentary on all things tennis. As we reach men's final day at Wimbledon, where Croft will conduct the post-match on-court interviews with Carlos Alcaraz and Yannik Sinner, we delve into Croft's life and career. Substantial net worth Determining her exact net worth can be challenging, but previous reports suggest that Croft's value stands at approximately £1.2million. This figure takes into account the prize money she accumulated throughout her tennis career, which saw her peak at No.24 in the world rankings and earn £201,254 in winnings. However, it is believed that the majority of her net worth stems from her television work. Croft was a contestant in Series 21 of Strictly Come Dancing, where she secured fourth place alongside dance partner Johannes Radebe. Article continues below Croft has a distinguished career in broadcasting, having presented shows such as 'Treasure Hunt' and 'Inceptor', alongside her role as a tennis pundit for the BBC, Eurosport and Sky Sports. Her primary focus is with the BBC, where she serves as a commentator, pundit, and presenter, particularly during Wimbledon season. Tragic loss of beloved husband In a tragic turn of events in May 2023, Croft's husband of three decades, Mel Coleman, succumbed to sepsis after a valiant struggle with stage four colon cancer that had metastasised throughout his body. Speaking to The Telegraph, Croft disclosed that an overwhelming 97 per cent of his liver was afflicted with tumours. A mere 12 weeks post-diagnosis, Coleman passed away at 60 years old. Croft does not expect to return to the dating scene any time soon (Image: Getty Images ) While initially believed to have died from cancer, Croft clarified that the actual cause was sepsis, potentially triggered by a perforated tumour during a flight home from Portugal. Reflecting on the harrowing experience of her husband's demise, Croft shared: "I have traumatic flashbacks of the day Mel died. During his final hours, as he drifted in and out of consciousness, he started listing instructions like, 'Change the tyre on the van' and then saying to the children, 'Sorry I can't be there for your weddings'. "That memory breaks my heart. After Mel died, it didn't feel real, but as though he was away on a trip and would reappear. Weirdly, the pain of grief feels like it's growing, rather than easing, because of the realisation that he's not coming back." Views on dating The passing of Coleman, which occurred just over two years ago, understandably still affects Croft deeply. She has recently expressed that she's not mentally prepared to re-enter the dating world, saying: "I don't want to be a professional widow, but I'm not ready for another partner." Article continues below In a separate chat with Hello magazine, Croft reiterated her feelings, making clear that the thought of a new relationship is not on her mind at all. The celebrity from Orpington remarked: "I don't even consider it. "It's not something I'm thinking about at all. I'm not in that headspace – it's way too soon."
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Wimbledon star leaves Annabel Croft red-faced as he corrects BBC interview error
Ben Shelton was in good spirits after booking his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals - and was left in hysterics at a mistake by BBC presenter Annabel Croft during a post-match interview Wimbledon quarter-finalist Ben Shelton left Annabel Croft red-faced after correcting her claim he had been a "quarterbacker" during his American football days. The BBC host was congratulating the American on reaching the last eight at SW19 for the first time in his young career. The rising tennis star had just clinched a spot in the quarter-finals following a hard-fought 3-6 6-1 7-6(1) 7-5 win over Italy's Lorenzo Sonego. Croft was keen to explore how Shelton's experience in college American football might influence his tennis game, with Shelton having juggled both tennis and gridiron before dedicating himself to the former at the University of Florida. Asking about his time playing another sport besides tennis, Croft remarked: "I was reading that in college you loved your American football and you were a quarterbacker? I hope I got that right. What are the comparisons between tennis and American football?" The American, ranked No. 10 in the world, quickly sported a broad smile at Croft's "quarterbacker" mention and humorously responded: "I am not sure many people in the crowd know what that is, they use that brown, oval-shaped ball, sometimes they kick it between the uprights. "I grew up playing quarterback, or 'quarterbacker'... either way. Probably the only thing that is a direct correlation between tennis is the serve, as you guys can probably see. That's kind of the one thing that I took from football onto the tennis court." Spectators on Court 1 were left in stitches by Shelton's response. He had to pause to wipe his face with his towel before he could continue answering, while Croft grinned sheepishly and played with her hair. "Obviously I have always loved athletics," Shelton continued. "Playing in a team sports, something bigger than yourself. Now I am obviously playing an individual sport but I have a team supporting me that I work with every day so that's the most important thing to me. "I don't want to be out here by myself, I want to be doing it with people that I love and I have a lot of people that I love over there." Shelton also named his dad, Bryan, who was a professional tennis player and reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1994, as his inspiration for his style of play on grass, declaring: "He was in the round of 16 here 31 years ago, he was a serve-and-volleyer. "Big serve, came forward all the time, he would like to see me come forward a little bit more than I am. My argument is that I think I am better than him from the baseline, and he had a better serve than me, maybe. "So he kind of inspires the way that I am playing on grass, the way I am moving forward, the way I am cutting off angles, wanting to mix in the serve-and-volley style, the vintage style of tennis every once and a while and be a bit more unpredictable on the court. "He is the guy who puts our gameplans together and so far, so good." Sonego was the first player to take a set off Shelton at Wimbledon but the Italian was ultimately outplayed and sent home by the Florida-born star. On the match, Shelton said: 'It was really difficult. I feel like every time I play Lorenzo Sonego, every time I need a big point he comes out with a highlight shot. Maybe it's the same vice-versa as well. "It was a lot of fun. I'm getting very comfortable out here on court one, I love playing in front of you guys."
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Annabel Croft spent 10 days in homelessness hell without a penny to her name
Former British tennis star Annabel Croft was one of several celebrities who took part in the BBC's Famous, Rich and Homeless in 2009, and the experience left her fearing for her life at one point Annabel Croft spent 10 days living on the streets of London without a penny to her name for the BBC's Famous, Rich and Homeless docu-series. The programme followed several volunteers who traded their luxurious lifestyles to experience the extreme poverty that Shelter today estimates 345,000 people in the UK are currently enduring. Croft, who temporarily abandoned her lavish six-bedroom home and numerous creature comforts to sleep in shop doorways for a week and a half in 2009, was joined by Hardeep Singh Kohli, Rosie Boycott, Bruce Jones and the Marquis of Blandford. Each embarked on their own journey into homelessness. Despite knowing it would be challenging, nothing could have prepared the now 58-year-old pundit, who is currently working at Wimbledon, for the physical and emotional hardship she faced during the experiment. In a Daily Mail column published the same year as the series, Croft recalled a terrifying moment when she was nearly stabbed. She wrote: "Slowly, I made it to the Strand in time to make the food drop from a van provided by a charity called the Simon Community. When I got there, an old battleaxe of a woman demanded, 'What are you doing here?' I said I just wanted a cup of tea but she said I was unwelcome. "She had spotted Fiona, my camerawoman, and clearly wanted to provoke a fight. I was still trying to get some tea when two Polish guys came at me from nowhere. Fiona and I were both protected - from a distance - by a security guard, Stuart Cleverley. "Within moments he was by my side, grabbed me by the arm and whisked me away from my argument. Only when we were 30 yards clear did he tell me that one of the men had pulled out a knife and was inches away from stabbing me in the back." The harrowing ordeal left Croft "scared witless" and contemplating abandoning the documentary due to fears of leaving her children motherless if she were to be fatally attacked on London's streets. However, she resolved to carry on until the end, encountering individuals from all walks of life - some who selflessly offered assistance in a display of camaraderie, even while grappling with their own struggles. Despite being thrust into extremely daunting situations, such as engaging with substance abusers and constructing a temporary home from cardboard, Croft confessed that the experience profoundly altered her view of the homeless. She said: "On so many occasions I have walked past homeless people and thought, 'Oh for goodness sake, you are so young. Get up and go and get a job.' But no one will employ a person who has no address who can't prove who they are. It's a vicious circle." She also shared her emotional response, feeling "disturbed" by the scenes she witnessed yet also "humbled and privileged" to participate in the programme's mission to challenge perceptions about the homeless. Following the broadcast, Croft delved deeper into the issue with her BBC Radio 5 Live show entitled James: My Alcoholic Friend, which revolved around her efforts to reconnect with one of the rough sleepers she spent time with on Famous, Rich and Homeless. Croft is currently making an impact with her commentary at Wimbledon, where tennis greats vie for the coveted Grand Slam title. Despite never securing a major herself, Croft made quite the impression on SW19's courts, reaching the third round in 1984. She also completed her career with a singles track record of 49-68 and one WTA title to her name. All eyes are set on WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at this year's tournament, as she gears up for a quarter-final clash against Laura Siegemund on Tuesday at Centre Court, aiming to bag her fourth Grand Slam title. Amanda Anisimova is also scheduled to face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova later in the day, with the remaining two quarter-final spots yet to be decided at the time of writing.
Wales Online
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Annabel Croft's massive net worth from BBC job and stance on dating after husband's death
Annabel Croft's massive net worth from BBC job and stance on dating after husband's death Annabel Croft was one of Britain's most exciting tennis prospects in the 1980s, and fast forwarding to this summer, the 1984 junior Wimbledon champion is on everybody's screens at SW19 Annabel Croft is currently working for the BBC at Wimbledon (Image: 2025 Visionhaus ) Annabel Croft has become one of the BBC's most recognisable and distinguished tennis pundits and commentators. Croft, 58, has endless expertise and experience in the sport, having won junior Wimbledon all the way back in 1984. She has gone on to become a cultured and informative voice, ever since she started working for the BBC as a Wimbledon summariser on Five Live in 2000. However, things away from the court have not been easy for Croft, who is still mourning the death of her husband Mel Coleman in 2023. Despite her personal tragedy, she is still appearing on the nation's screens, offering her expert insights on all things tennis. With the second week of Wimbledon upon us, Wales Online has taken a look at Croft's life and work. Massive net worth While it is difficult to ascertain what her exact net worth is, previous reports have claimed Croft's value is at around £1.2million. This is considering the prize money she amassed over the course of her tennis career, which saw her reach a career high ranking of No. 24 in the world while also winning £201,254. However, the bulk of her net worth is believed to be rooted in her television work. Croft starred in Series 21 of Strictly Come Dancing, where she finished fourth while dancing with partner Johannes Radebe. Article continues below Croft has also presented television shows such as Treasure Hunt and Inceptor, while also working as a tennis pundit for the BBC, Eurosport and Sky Sports. Primarily, her main work is with the Beeb, where she works as a commentator, pundit and presenter, especially when Wimbledon is on. Husband's heartbreaking death Annabel Croft and Mel Coleman pictured in 2013 (Image: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images ) In May 2023, Croft's late husband of 30 years Mel Coleman, passed away after suffering from sepsis. At the time, Coleman was battling stage four colon cancer that had spread throughout his body. Croft told The Telegraph that 97 per cent of his liver was covered with tumours. Only 12 weeks after his diagnosis, he passed away at the age of 60. While it was assumed he had died of cancer, Croft revealed he had actually died of sepsis, which she says may have been caused by a tumour that was perforated while on a flight back from Portugal. Opening up on her husband's death, Croft said: "I have traumatic flashbacks of the day Mel died. During his final hours, as he drifted in and out of consciousness, he started listing instructions like, 'Change the tyre on the van' and then saying to the children, 'Sorry I can't be there for your weddings.' "That memory breaks my heart. After Mel died, it didn't feel real, but as though he was away on a trip and would reappear. Weirdly, the pain of grief feels like it's growing, rather than easing, because of the realisation that he's not coming back.' Stance on dating Croft does not expect to return to the dating scene any time soon (Image: Getty Images ) Coleman's death was just over two years ago, so it is understandable it would still feel raw to her. Croft recently said she did not have the mental headspace to return to the dating scene, saying: " I don't want to be a professional widow, but I'm not ready for another partner.' In another interview with Hello magazine, she affirmed this stance again, stating she has not even thought about that prospect. The Orpington-born star said: "I don't even consider it. Article continues below " It's not something I'm thinking about at all. I'm not in that headspace – it's way too soon."
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
David Croft absent from Austrian GP as Sky Sports F1 commentator replaced
Sky Sports F1 lead commentator David Croft is absent from the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend with viewers set to hear the voice of Crofty's understudy instead Sky Sports viewers will hear a less familiar voice on commentary at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix. That is because, for the second time this year, usual lead broadcaster David Croft will not be in attendance at the Formula 1 race. 'Crofty' is part of the furniture at Sky Sports, having served as lead commentator ever since the broadcaster secured the rights to show F1 in the UK and Ireland in 2012. And for many years, he was ever-present at all races while the presenting and punditry team around him would rotate. But these days the F1 calendar is larger than ever with 24 races per season. And so, in 2024, Croft took the decision to miss three races in the season to recharge and spent more time with his family and has repeated that plan this year. He sat out the Emilia Romagna, Austrian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix last season, and chose to skip the same trio of events this term. On each occasion, Harry Benjamin has been called up to fill in and he is behind the microphone again for this weekend's race in Spielberg. Benjamin is less experienced in motorsport broadcasting but has been covering F1 for BBC Radio 5 Live since 2022. The year before, he was hired as the lead presenter for F1's support series including Formula 2, Formula 3 and the Porsche Supercup. He debuted for Sky's F1 coverage at the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix as they put on an alternative, kid-friendly broadcast of that event, in partnership with Formula One Management. Croft was still commentating on the main feed on that occasion, alongside long-time partner Martin Brundle. But it was when Croft opted against a trip to Italy for the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix that Benjamin received his first call-up to commentate on Sky's main coverage. He returned for the Austria and Azerbaijan races that year and is set to complete the same trio this term. That means this is Benjamin's second appearance of the year on the Sky feed, having already appeared at the Imola race in May. He is likely to return for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ins September. Croft said last year of his plans to take some breaks: "I'm not getting any younger. I've given up and sacrificed a lot for my career. I want to give a bit of time back to my family and not be on the other side of the world." His decision to skip the Austria race means he will be able to spend more than a month at home in the UK since returning from the Canadian Grand Prix. His next appearance will be at Silverstone next weekend and he won't need to get on a plane again until the last week of July when he will head to the Belgian Grand Prix.
