Annabel Croft's heartbreaking dating admission and enormous net worth from BBC job

Annabel Croft has become a familiar and respected figure in the world of tennis for the BBC. With a wealth of knowledge and experience in the sport, she has been an insightful voice since her debut as a Wimbledon summariser on Radio 5 Live in 2000.

Unlike many commentators and pundits, she has enjoyed success as a player at SW19, winning junior Wimbledon all the way back in 1984. However, life off the court has not been without its challenges for Croft, who continues to grieve the loss of her husband Mel Coleman in 2023. Despite this personal heartache, she remains a regular presence on our screens, providing expert analysis on all aspects of tennis. As we enter the second week of Wimbledon, Express Sport offers a glimpse into Croft's life and career.

Annabel Croft's net worth

While it's challenging to pinpoint her exact net worth, previous reports suggest that Croft is worth around £1.2million. This takes into account the prize money she accumulated throughout her tennis career, which saw her achieve a career-high ranking of No. 24 with ammassed winnings of £201,254.

However, it's believed that the majority of her net worth stems from her television work. Croft appeared in Series 21 of Strictly Come Dancing, where she finished fourth alongside partner Johannes Radebe.

Croft has a diverse television career, having also hosted programmes such as Treasure Hunt and Interceptor. She is perhaps best known for her expertise in tennis, contributing as a pundit to the BBC, Eurosport and Sky Sports.

Her primary role, however, is with the BBC where she serves as a commentator, pundit and presenter, particularly during Wimbledon season.

Heartbreaking death of husband Mel Coleman

Tragedy struck in May 2023 when Croft's husband of 30 years, Mel Coleman, died from sepsis. At the time, Coleman was courageously fighting stage four colon cancer that had metastasised.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Croft disclosed that 97 per cent of his liver was riddled with tumours. He passed away just 12 weeks following his diagnosis at the age of 60. Contrary to what was presumed, Croft clarified that it was actually sepsis that caused his passing, which was potentially linked to complications from a perforated tumour during a return flight from Portugal.

In an emotional account of her husband's passing, 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."

Annabel Croft's emotional dating stance

Coleman's passing was only two years ago so it is likely that the pain is still raw for Croft, even though it has not stopped her from working in television, undergoing various projects. However, a return to the dating scene in the near future is unlikely. She recently said: "I don't want to be a professional widow, but I'm not ready for another partner."

In an additional conversation with Hello magazine, she reiterated this sentiment, saying: "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."

Croft and Coleman were married for 30 years, tying the knot in 1993, two days before she turned 27 years old. They originally met each other all the way back in 1987, when she was in Sri Lanka making a TV show about learning to sail and Coleman was part of the sailing crew.

At the time, he was also an America's Cup and Admiral's Cup sailor, but he went on to become an investment banker.