Strictly's Annabel Croft 'sad' as she issues tour update with Johannes Radebe

18 December 2023 , 10:46

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Strictly's Annabel Croft 'sad' as she issues tour update with Johannes Radebe

Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft has admitted she's 'sad' as she issued an upcoming tour update with pro partner Johannes Radebe.

The tennis star, 57, recently competed on the hit BBC One dance competition with Johannes, 36, where they sadly just missed out on a spot in the final on Saturday night, which Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola won. However, despite her time on the show coming to an end, Annabel will be dancing once again on the Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour in 2024.

However, Annabel will sadly not be reunited with Johannes on the tour and instead will dance with Graziano Di Prima. Talking on Monday's Lorraine, the former contestant said of not dancing with Johannes: "We're both sad about it, Johannes has his own tour so he's promoting his own show. I think it was too close to this tour and his body also needs a rest, I'm sure his brain too. He needs to recharge his batteries.

Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft has admitted she's 'sad' as she issued an upcoming tour update with pro partner Johannes Radebe (ITV)

"I think he's probably sad he couldn't make it work but I hear that term, 'keep dancing', and I now realise what that is because I do want to keep dancing so when I got the opportunity to do the tour, I thought: 'Oh wow, how wonderful to keep going!' But of course, I would have loved to have been with him [Johannes]."

Talking about being paired with Graziano, Annabel said: "Graziano is a very good friend of Johannes, they know each other very well. Of course, I've met him, been around Graziano through the whole show so it'll be different but I'm hoping a lot of fun as well!"

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Annabel sadly became the 10th celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing, leaving Bobby Brazier, Layton Williams and Ellie in the final, with the latter going on to win.

Annabel sadly became the 10th celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing (PA)

The former tennis player lost out following a dance-off with EastEnders star Bobby, 20, and his professional dancer Dianne Buswell earlier this month. Annabel, whose husband tragically died earlier in the year, thanked her dance partner Johannes and told him he had given her 'a reason to get out of bed'.

Annabel said: "It’s been the most life-changing and extraordinary experience of my life. I have to congratulate Bobby and Dianne and all the contestants that took part in it.

"But obviously, it’s been an amazing, magical experience for me. Johannes, you have been absolutely extraordinary. You have given me a reason to get out of bed and come and dance with you, distract me and to heal me. I can’t thank you enough for that. You have been so patient, so caring and so loving. You are an unbelievably special human being. I simply adore you. Thank you so much."

Olivia Wheeler