Former tennis player and broadcaster Annabel Croft has been added to the cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 as the 14th contender in the line-up!
Her casting was announced shortly after EastEnders and Casualty actor Nigel Harman announced his participation in the BBC competition.
Other celebs who will appear in the season when it returns later this year include Bobby Brazier from EastEnders, Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, Paralympic athlete Jody Cundy, and radio personality Nikita Kanda.
Annabel became the youngest Briton to participate at Wimbledon in 95 years when she was just 15 years old.
She was awarded junior winner of the 1984 competition three years later.
Speaking about joining Strictly, the 57-year-old said: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
The news that Annabel will be competing in Strictly came during her interview with Kaiser Chiefs rock guitarist Ricky Wilson on Virgin Radio’s Breakfast Show.
The commentator represented Great Britain in the Wightman and Federation Cup events, and he was ranked 24 in the world.
Since quitting from tennis at the age of 21 in 1988, Annabel has been a familiar figure on television, starring on programmes such as Treasure Hunt, Interceptor, and The Wright SAtuff.
The presenter also works for and is frequently seen speaking at Wimbledon while covering the major tournament.
Annabel has three children with her late husband Mel Coleman, who died of cancer in May of this year.
Several Strictly Come Dancing stars welcomed Annabel to the stage, especially considering everything she has gone through this year.
‘Great choice. What a hard year for Annabel. I hope this will bring her a lot of joy!’ one person tweeted.
‘I have no words to say how excited I am for this. She lost her husband recently, she absolutely smashed it at Wimbledon presenting this year and now on Strictly. Annabel you are amazing and an inspiration to us all. Your darling husband will be watching you from above 🌟,’ another supportive individual wrote.
Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.