Annabel Croft has been showered with love and congratulations following her announcement of a delightful family milestone. The Strictly Come Dancing star recently embraced her new role as a grandmother, sharing a heartwarming snapshot of herself cradling the newest member of her family. On Instagram, she joyfully announced, “Officially a granny. My new name in the fam is Grannabel xxx hope you’ve all had a wonderful weekend.” Her followers were quick to express their happiness, with one admirer commenting, “Congratulations to the most glamorous Granabel.” Another echoed, “Congratulations darling Annabel! So much love to you and the family.” A third well-wisher added, “Wow congratulations! You will love every minute! Xx.”

This joyful news comes in the wake of a difficult time for Annabel, who lost her husband, Mel, to colon cancer in May 2023. Despite the personal loss, she participated in the BBC’s dance competition, reaching the semi-finals in the show’s 21st series. Her journey ended just shy of the finals, as she competed fiercely against talented stars like Coronation Street’s Ellie Leach, EastEnders’ Bobby Brazier, and West End’s Layton Williams, all vying for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Mel, who passed away at the age of 60, was a respected yachtsman and investment banker. The couple, married since 1993, have three children together: Amber Rose, Lily, and Charlie. Annabel has spoken candidly about how appearing on Strictly served as a balm during her time of mourning. She reflected, “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 realized how helpful it was to get up every day instead of sitting in this house, which my husband built.”

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.