Annabel Croft of Strictly Come Dancing says she can’t sleep because of ‘cruel’ comments made by a heartless nurse minutes before her husband’s death.
The 57-year-old former tennis star joined up for the BBC show after her late husband Mel Coleman died of colon cancer in May, only weeks after being diagnosed, at the age of 60.
In a recent interview, the BBC broadcaster, who had three children with Coleman, Charlie, Amber, and Lily, discusses the tragic events leading up to his death.
Coleman was transported to the hospital after falling at home, according to Annabel, and was treated by a team of ‘angel’ nurses, with the exception of one, whom she now fears is a ‘psychopath.’
According to the commentator, the nurse seemed to take pleasure in informing Coleman he was going to die, curtly informed the family she would not resuscitate him under any circumstances, and humiliated their son Charlie.
Annabel recalled to the Daily Mail: ‘I’ve asked myself since if she was a psychopath. It felt like it because she seemed to take pleasure in telling Mel he was dying.
‘When she started to talk like that, I said: “Can you please come over here and talk to me privately first? I don’t want him to hear this.” But she said: “No, he is the patient. He has to hear that he is dying.”
‘She started talking about palliative care and Charlie asked her: “What does that mean? Does he have months, weeks?”
‘She said: “Huh!” Almost laughing, mocking our son. ‘No — hours.’ Mel heard that, all of it. It was just awful.’
Reflecting on the impact of the nurse’s cruel behaviour, Annabel continued: ‘This nurse said: “Listen to me. He’s got cancer. We are not resuscitating him.” Like she was enjoying it.
‘I’m haunted by that. So many nights it has kept me awake, remembering the tone of her voice. It was cruel.’
Annabel, who appears on Strictly alongside dancer Johannes Radebe, previously stated that her presence was a pleasant diversion from her bereavement.
She told Lorraine: ‘It’s been nice to do something joyful and use my body, and try to rest my brain from thinking too many dark thoughts.’
Coleman was a tremendous Strictly fan, and he especially liked watching 36-year-old Johannes. Her involvement in the season is extremely meaningful because Coleman was a huge Strictly fan.
‘He was a huge fan of this gorgeous man,’ Annabel said.
She married former professional yachtsman Coleman in 1992.
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight on BBC One and iPlayer at 6.20pm.
