Strictly’s Annabel Croft lifts lid on ‘taking the ego away’ during judging

Strictly: Annabel Croft discusses late husband with Johannes

Earlier this month, Strictly Come Dancing 2023 contestant Annabel Croft lifted the lid on how she feels she will react to the judges’ criticism each week.

The sports broadcaster, who was the youngest British tennis player to compete at Wimbledon for almost a century at the age of 15, compared appearing on the BBC show to playing the sport.

All four Strictly judges have returned to the panel this year, including Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas.

Ahead of her debut on the BBC series, she spoke to Express.co.uk and other outlets about the importance of taking on criticism.

“I think that you just take your ego away and just accept the criticism because I don’t expect to be Roger Federer playing tennis out there, do you know what I mean?” she explained.

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“I expect to be criticised, so I’m ready for that,” she added. “As a tennis player, you’re used to losing matches and not winning all the time.

“So I hope I don’t take it too personally, because I know I’m a bit stiff. I’m hoping that it’s going to be a joyful experience.

“And I just love watching the dances,” she enthused. “I mean, I literally could sit in rehearsals and just watch them. They’re just so amazing, like, quite mesmerising.

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“So yes, it’s such a privilege to be partnered up with these amazing professionals and I think, ‘Wow, I’ve already learned a few things.’”

Annabel is paired up with professional dancer Johannes Radebe for this year’s series.

The presenter was particularly emotional when she heard who she had been coupled up with, as her late husband Mel Coleman had been a fan of both the show and Johannes.

Earlier this year, Mel was diagnosed with stage three cancer and tragically died aged 60 just weeks after his diagnosis.

This Saturday, fans can look forward to an energetic quickstep from Annabel and Johannes to the song Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves.

Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight at 6.20pm on BBC One.

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