Strictly Annabel Croft is urged by Johannes Radebe to ‘move on’ after her emotional confession

Annabel Croft was urged to ‘carry on’ with Strictly by her professional partner Johannes Radebe before Saturday’s live show.

Johannes, 36, gave Annabel a last-minute pep talk on Instagram before performing at the Pasodoble, where the duo received their first ever 10.

Days early, former tennis player Annabel, 57, appeared on This Morning and spoke about her ‘horrific’ year following the sudden death of her beloved husband Mel Coleman.

Johannes wrote: ‘You dance so beautifully, and every week you bring so much strength and joy to this journey.

‘It’s been amazing to watch you grow and I’m so incredibly proud of you for everything you’ve achieved. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my leading lady and for sharing this truly special adventure with me.

Johannes, 36, gave Annabel a last-minute pep talk on Instagram before they performed the Pasodouble – where the duo received their first ever 10

‘I now have a dancer in my arms. Carry on, dear Annabel,” Johannes wrote

‘I now have a dancer in my arms. Carry on, dear Annabel.’

Johannes, who shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos from their time in Blackpool, added: ‘Lots of love. Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time to vote and supporting us on our Strictly journey. It means so much to know you’re there. X’

Annabel commented: ‘Words are not enough to describe how special this experience with you has been – I witness a genius on the floor every time we dance together and you are the most incredible teacher – thank you for supporting me every day made laughter and brought joy to my life.”

Annabel spoke about her late husband Mel on This Morning.

Mel died in May at the age of 60, just weeks after being diagnosed with stage three cancer. She said she “really wished” he could have met Johannes.

She told presenters Dermot O’Leary and Rochelle Humes: ‘It was a horrific year, it was something I never expected, this was never meant to be how life would be, I thought I had a future with my husband, we been together since i was 21, together 36 years and i miss him terribly, no doubt about it.

‘I really want to talk to him about what we are doing, I miss his humor and I really wish Johannes had met him because I feel like they would get along so well.’

And Johannes’ kind, encouraging words proved to be exactly what Annabel needed as the audience gave her a standing ovation for her Pasodoble.

Annabel commented: ‘Words cannot describe how special this experience with you has been – I witness a genius on the floor every time we dance together’

Johannes and Annabel posed in one photo with the Strictly crew in Blackpool

The pair had a lot of fun in the Blackpool special

Devastating: The tennis player, 57, remembered her beloved partner as she danced her lyrical routine Couple’s Choice after his tragic death earlier this year (Photo 2021)

Craig scored eight, Motsi and Shirley both scored a nine, while Anton scored the couple their first ever ten.

Annabel and Johannes were speechless and almost fell to the ground in shock before sharing a big hug.