BBC Wimbledon presenter Annabel Croft has opened up about dealing with grief three years after the death of her husband, Mel Coleman. The banker, who was married to Annabel for 30 years, died three months after being diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2023.

The following year, the former tennis star joined the Strictly Come Dancing line-up, where she partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe.

While she has credited the show and keeping busy with helping her through her grief, Annabel admits she still yearns for her late husband.

"I just feel like he’s still there," the 59-year-old told The Observer. "Every day I say, 'I cannot believe you're not here'. I said it to him last night, to the picture next to my bed. It’s just so bizarre. How can somebody just evaporate?"

Reflecting on his health battle, Annabel said Mel died from sepsis, which she described as "a terrible way to go".

The life-threatening condition developed after one of his tumours perforated following a flight to Portugal.

Following his cancer diagnosis, the businessman opted against chemotherapy, a decision that one of their three children, Lily, said she's "glad" he made.

She went on to say that while he suffered from symptoms, she believes he had a high pain threshold and rarely complained.

“We couldn’t understand what was going on," the tennis ace added. "We were a bit naive. None of us knew that he was dying."

Annabel has previously revealed she still experiences "traumatic flashbacks" of the day she said goodbye to her husband.

Speaking to The Sun's Fabulous magazine in 2024, she said: "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."

Three years on from the heartbreaking loss, Annabel said she still finds it impossible to even consider dating someone new.

Speaking recently to The Times, she said: "I've had people asking for dinner dates. I'm, like, 'You have no idea!'

"I'm not anywhere close to that. It gives me the heebies to think about it. It's never say never, but I wouldn't mind if it was never.

"Still, I don't want to feel doom and gloom for the rest of my life. Mel would have wanted me to be happy.

"I try to live in the moment, to stay as present as you possibly can. It's the only way to be - like a sportsman."

Annabel is part of the BBC's Wimbledon 2026 punditry team alongside a host of familiar faces, including Tim Henman and John McEnroe.

You can watch Wimbledon 2026 live on the BBC from Monday, 29 June until Sunday 12 July 2026.