BBC Wimbledon Personality Annabel Croft Opens Up on New Beginnings, Private Life and Past Regrets
As the revered Wimbledon tennis tournament prepares to captivate the nation once again, one familiar face set to grace our television screens is Annabel Croft. A former British tennis star turned prominent broadcaster, Croft is an integral part of the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage this year, contributing her insight and passion to the much-loved sporting event.
Croft’s career trajectory has seen her span the worlds of professional sport and mainstream entertainment. Whilst many first encountered her on the court—once Britain’s No. 1 female tennis player—her public profile received another boost through her warmly received stint on “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2023. This surge of visibility, however, was bittersweet, as it followed closely after an immensely personal tragedy. Just months earlier, Croft’s husband, Mel Coleman, sadly passed away. The couple had shared three decades together, and his sudden death at 60, a mere sixteen weeks after his cancer diagnosis, shook Croft’s foundations.
Now, two years on from that loss, Croft feels ready for a significant change. She recently revealed her plans to move house for the first time in a quarter of a century. The home she shared with Mel—a former America’s Cup yachtsman—has been central to her life, filled with memories made alongside their children: Amber, 31, Charlie, 29, and Lily, 27. Yet, Croft acknowledges the time has come to downsize. “The house has been my life for 25 years and everything about it is Mel, because he built it. We’ve had amazing memories here that are impossible to forget, but I’m ready to go,” she said recently.
Reflecting on her current priorities, Croft told the press that life’s simple pleasures have become more meaningful. Morning walks, keeping active, enjoying meals with loved ones—these now form the cornerstone of her contentment. She has come to value a more minimalist approach: “I’ve realised I don’t need much any more. I don’t want overheads, maintenance, a garden to look after and pay for – anything that is excess to what I need,” she explained with characteristic openness.
Speculation often swirls around the private lives of public figures, and Croft has already found herself clarifying persistent rumours about her romantic life since Mel’s death. She addressed gossip about being seen with a male companion, explaining the relationship was entirely platonic. “He’s my bank manager and a great friend who was also close to Mel,” she said, noting that the pair were simply reminiscing over photographs together—hardly the stuff of tabloid romance. She has, for the record, said she is not considering dating, remarking: “It’s not something I’m thinking about at all. I’m not in that headspace – it’s way too soon.”
Croft’s family is soon to welcome a new arrival, with her eldest daughter, Amber, expecting a baby in September. The imminent arrival of her grandchild marks another fresh chapter for Croft, who turns 59 during the Wimbledon fortnight.
Yet, amidst personal evolution and professional successes, Croft carries a hint of regret about her tennis career. A promising junior champion at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open, she walked away from competitive tennis at just 21—citing weariness with the demanding lifestyle and relentless touring schedule. “I didn’t want to live that circus lifestyle any more,” she confessed, acknowledging that she made the leap without much of a plan or further education to support her future aspirations. In hindsight, Croft admits she regrets not pushing further for the senior Wimbledon title, stating, “I regret that I didn’t understand what I was doing at the time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it?”
After tennis, Croft rebuilt her confidence and career through unexpected avenues—including five years in pantomime, which she credits with helping her transition to the small screen. Her television career began with Channel 4’s “Network Seven” and later she succeeded Anneka Rice as the host of “Treasure Hunt.”
Ultimately, Croft returned to her tennis roots as a broadcaster, initially with Eurosport and later as a fixture on Sky Sports and the BBC. Her knowledgeable, empathetic commentary has cemented her as one of the sport’s most esteemed pundits.
Annabel Croft’s journey—marked by sporting glory, personal hardship, resilience and professional reinvention—continues to offer inspiration. As she faces new milestones, both on the Wimbledon lawns and in her private life, she remains a cherished figure in British sporting culture.