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Wales Online
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC's Annabel Croft suffered traumatic flashbacks after tragedy
BBC's Annabel Croft suffered traumatic flashbacks after tragedy Annabel Croft has become one of the BBC's most recognisable tennis pundits, but things have been difficult for the 58-year-old away from the court, following the death of her husband Mel Coleman British former tennis player Annabel Croft (Image: 2025 Visionhaus ) Annabel Croft, one of the BBC's most distinguished and recognisable tennis pundits and commentators, has a wealth of expertise and experience in the sport. At 58, she boasts an impressive career, having clinched the junior Wimbledon title back in 1984. Since her debut as a Wimbledon summariser on BBC 5 Live in 2000, she has become a knowledgeable and refined voice for the BBC. However, life off the court hasn't been smooth sailing for Croft, who continues to grieve the loss of her husband Mel Coleman in 2023. Despite her personal loss, she remains a fixture on our screens, providing expert commentary on all things tennis. As we reach men's final day at Wimbledon, where Croft will conduct the post-match on-court interviews with Carlos Alcaraz and Yannik Sinner, we delve into Croft's life and career. Substantial net worth Determining her exact net worth can be challenging, but previous reports suggest that Croft's value stands at approximately £1.2million. This figure takes into account the prize money she accumulated throughout her tennis career, which saw her peak at No.24 in the world rankings and earn £201,254 in winnings. However, it is believed that the majority of her net worth stems from her television work. Croft was a contestant in Series 21 of Strictly Come Dancing, where she secured fourth place alongside dance partner Johannes Radebe. Article continues below Croft has a distinguished career in broadcasting, having presented shows such as 'Treasure Hunt' and 'Inceptor', alongside her role as a tennis pundit for the BBC, Eurosport and Sky Sports. Her primary focus is with the BBC, where she serves as a commentator, pundit, and presenter, particularly during Wimbledon season. Tragic loss of beloved husband In a tragic turn of events in May 2023, Croft's husband of three decades, Mel Coleman, succumbed to sepsis after a valiant struggle with stage four colon cancer that had metastasised throughout his body. Speaking to The Telegraph, Croft disclosed that an overwhelming 97 per cent of his liver was afflicted with tumours. A mere 12 weeks post-diagnosis, Coleman passed away at 60 years old. Croft does not expect to return to the dating scene any time soon (Image: Getty Images ) While initially believed to have died from cancer, Croft clarified that the actual cause was sepsis, potentially triggered by a perforated tumour during a flight home from Portugal. Reflecting on the harrowing experience of her husband's demise, Croft shared: "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." Views on dating The passing of Coleman, which occurred just over two years ago, understandably still affects Croft deeply. She has recently expressed that she's not mentally prepared to re-enter the dating world, saying: "I don't want to be a professional widow, but I'm not ready for another partner." Article continues below In a separate chat with Hello magazine, Croft reiterated her feelings, making clear that the thought of a new relationship is not on her mind at all. The celebrity from Orpington remarked: "I don't even consider it. "It's not something I'm thinking about at all. I'm not in that headspace – it's way too soon."
Wales Online
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Annabel Croft's massive net worth from BBC job and stance on dating after husband's death
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. Article continues below 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. Article continues below " It's not something I'm thinking about at all. I'm not in that headspace – it's way too soon."
North Wales Live
23-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
BBC, ITV and Sky news legend Dermot Murnaghan has stage 4 cancer
ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan has been diagnosed with cancer. In a statement shared on social media, he said: "Some personal news……I've been diagnosed with Stage IV advanced prostate cancer. I'm fortunate to have a simply outstanding medical team looking after me, who I can't thank enough - they are administering the best possible care with expertise, compassion and sensitivity. "I'm responding positively to their excellent treatment and feeling well. I'm blessed to be fortified by the monumental love and support of my wife, family and close friends. Needless to say my message to all men over 50, in high-risk groups, or displaying symptoms, is get yourself tested and campaign for routine prostate screening by the NHS." He added: "Early detection is crucial. And be aware, this disease can sometimes progress rapidly without obvious symptoms. Details @ProstateUK @PCR_News. I'm aiming to take part in Sir Chris Hoy's fund raising charity bike ride - - in Glasgow in September - please support it and join us if you can Take care everyone Dermot." Dermot Murnaghan is a prominent British journalist, newsreader, and television presenter with a career spanning four decades. Born in 1957 in Barnstaple, Devon, he studied History at the University of Sussex before completing postgraduate journalism training in London Dermot started as a business programme researcher, later presenting The Business Programme, Channel 4 Morning News, The Channel 4 Daily, and weekend bulletins. Between 1993 and 2002 he a nchored ITV Lunchtime News, News at Ten, Evening News, and Nightly News, and presented the current affairs show The Big Story. He broke major stories like Princess Diana's death. In the 2000s he co‑hosted BBC Breakfast, stood in on Six and Ten O'Clock News, and fronted Treasure Hunt. From 2003 to 2014, he hosted the popular quiz show Eggheads.
Wales Online
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Iconic weather presenter Wincey Willis dies after battle with dementia
Iconic weather presenter Wincey Willis dies after battle with dementia Wincey was part of a fresh new breakfast TV revolution Wincey Willis Iconic weather presenter Wincey Willis has died at the age of 76, after a battle with dementia. Wincey, born Florence Winsome Leighton, was born in 1948 in Gateshead and died last December - but her death has been kept private until today. She was a pioneering British TV and radio presenter best known as the first female national weather presenter on ITV. She gained fame on Good Morning Britain (TV‑am) starting in May 1983 Wincey was part of a dynamic new breakfast TV line-up alongside Anne Diamond, Rustie Lee and "Mad Lizzie" Webb - as well as notorious rodent puppet Roland Rat OWincey was adopted by Florence and Thomas Dimmock and got her name from her middle name after classmates at her Hartlepool primary school sang Incy Wincy Spider. She left school in England at the age of 16 and went to France where she successfully completed her baccalauréat before enrolling at Strasbourg University. She returned to the northeast in 1975, securing a behind-the-scenes role at Radio Tees in Stockton-on-Tees. Article continues below She moved to television when she was invited to audition for the position of weather presenter for Tyne Tees regional TV and a year later, she was awarded her own series on Granada titled Wincey's Pets. At the pinnacle of her career, during the mid-80s, she featured on the game show Treasure Hunt alongside Anneka Rice. A contract dispute led Willis to resign from TV-am in 1987.. In the following years, she dedicated her time as a conservation volunteer aiding endangered species globally. Wincey also hosted radio shows for BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and for BBC Hereford & Worcester. Article continues below Her marriage to Malcolm Willis in 1972 ended in divorce. In recent years, Willis battled with dementia. Her death on December 18 last year was publicly announced this week.
Metro
18-06-2025
- Climate
- Metro
Wincey Willis, ITV's first female weather presenter, dies aged 76
Trailblazer Wincey Willis, the first woman to present the weather on ITV, has died aged 76 after a dementia diagnosis. The icon died in December, but it was only publicly annonced today. After being diagnosed with fronto-temporal dementia, Willis spent her final years in Sunderland. Born Florence Winsome Leighton in Gateshead and adopted at infancy, she grew up in Hartlepool in a strict Baptist household. At school she was nicknamed 'Wincey,' after the nursery rhyme. She began her career as a travel rep before entering broadcasting with Radio Tees in 1975. In 1981 she joined Tyne Tees TV as a weather presenter on Northern Life, later hosting her own show Wincey's Pets. In May 1983, Greg Dyke brought her to TV-am's Good Morning Britain, making her the first woman to deliver national weather forecasts on ITV. Her bubbly style, colourful jumpers, and trademark mullet gave a lively makeover to the otherwise earnest format. More Trending At the height of her fame, Willis also appeared on the popular game show Treasure Hunt alongside Anneka Rice and devised a board game called The Weather Game. Later in her life, she worked as an international conservation volunteer. Famously, she spent six months in a tent in Greece protecting endangered turtles. She later composted worms, writing books such as It's Raining Cats and Dogs (1986) and Greendays (1990), and continued broadcasting through regional radio with BBC Coventry & Warwickshire and BBC Hereford & Worcester. She's remembered as a television trailblazer who helped pave the way for women in broadcasting. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More »
