Annabel Croft's massive net worth from BBC job and stance on dating after husband's death
Annabel Croft was one of Britain's most exciting tennis prospects in the 1980s, and fast forwarding to this summer, the 1984 junior Wimbledon champion is on everybody's screens at SW19
Annabel Croft is currently working for the BBC at Wimbledon
(Image: 2025 Visionhaus )
Annabel Croft has become one of the BBC's most recognisable and distinguished tennis pundits and commentators.
Croft, 58, has endless expertise and experience in the sport, having won junior Wimbledon all the way back in 1984. She has gone on to become a cultured and informative voice, ever since she started working for the BBC as a Wimbledon summariser on Five Live in 2000.
However, things away from the court have not been easy for Croft, who is still mourning the death of her husband Mel Coleman in 2023.
Despite her personal tragedy, she is still appearing on the nation's screens, offering her expert insights on all things tennis. With the second week of Wimbledon upon us, Wales Online has taken a look at Croft's life and work.
Massive net worth
While it is difficult to ascertain what her exact net worth is, previous reports have claimed Croft's value is at around £1.2million. This is considering the prize money she amassed over the course of her tennis career, which saw her reach a career high ranking of No. 24 in the world while also winning £201,254.
However, the bulk of her net worth is believed to be rooted in her television work. Croft starred in Series 21 of Strictly Come Dancing, where she finished fourth while dancing with partner Johannes Radebe.
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Croft has also presented television shows such as Treasure Hunt and Inceptor, while also working as a tennis pundit for the BBC, Eurosport and Sky Sports. Primarily, her main work is with the Beeb, where she works as a commentator, pundit and presenter, especially when Wimbledon is on.
Husband's heartbreaking death
Annabel Croft and Mel Coleman pictured in 2013
(Image: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images )
In May 2023, Croft's late husband of 30 years Mel Coleman, passed away after suffering from sepsis. At the time, Coleman was battling stage four colon cancer that had spread throughout his body.
Croft told The Telegraph that 97 per cent of his liver was covered with tumours. Only 12 weeks after his diagnosis, he passed away at the age of 60. While it was assumed he had died of cancer, Croft revealed he had actually died of sepsis, which she says may have been caused by a tumour that was perforated while on a flight back from Portugal.
Opening up on her husband's death, 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.'
Stance on dating
Croft does not expect to return to the dating scene any time soon
(Image: Getty Images )
Coleman's death was just over two years ago, so it is understandable it would still feel raw to her. Croft recently said she did not have the mental headspace to return to the dating scene, saying: " I don't want to be a professional widow, but I'm not ready for another partner.'
In another interview with Hello magazine, she affirmed this stance again, stating she has not even thought about that prospect. The Orpington-born star said: "I don't even consider it.
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" It's not something I'm thinking about at all. I'm not in that headspace – it's way too soon."
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