Strictly fans rush to to support Annabel Croft as she issues emotional statement

Annabel Croft has been inundated with support after announcing some exciting family news. The Strictly Come Dancing star has recently become a grandmother and shared an adorable photo of herself holding her new grandchild. Posting on Instagram, she wrote: "Officially a granny. my new name in the fam is grannabel xxx hope you've all had a wonderful weekend." Many of her fans rushed to give her warm comments on the happy news. One person said: "Congratulations to the most glamorous Granabel." A second fan also chimed in: "Congratulations darling Annabel! So much love to you and the family." A third also commented: "Wow congratulations! You will love every minute! Xx."

The former tennis ace lost her husband, Mel, to colon cancer in May 2023, just months before she took part in the BBC dance competition. She was eliminated from the show during the series 21 semi-final, narrowly missing out on a place in the final the following week.

During Strictly, Annabel was up against Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach, EastEnders star Bobby Brazier, and West End actor Layton Williams as they all competed for the highly coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Mel, who was 60 years old when he died in May 2023, was a professional yachtsman and investment banker who married Annabel in 1993. The couple share three children; Amber Rose, Lily and Charlie.

Annabel previously touched on Strictly helping her get through her grief after the loss of her husband. She revealed: "When people ask why I did Strictly so soon after, I think, 'Gosh, why would I not say yes?' What was I going to do - come back to an empty house and cry all evening? I've subsequently realised how helpful it was to get up every day instead of sitting in this house, which my husband built."

She added: "Coming back to a house that used to be full of life, full of Mel, but was suddenly empty, was terrifying. I was in grief and crying every day, so to have that focus of doing something positive and distracting the brain was really an incredibly healing process and I'm very grateful I had the opportunity. I'm not sure how I would have got through that winter without it, to be honest."

Paired with Johannes Radebe, she narrowly missed out on a spot in the final. The 2023 series was later won by Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.

Strictly Come Dancing resumes on Saturday, 1 November on BBC One.