Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft has revealed she is bringing a special new series to ITV, to honour her late husband Mel Gibson and says she wants to “continue what we started”.
Mel died at the age of 60 last year, just 16 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer – the couple had been married for more than 30 years and share three children together.
Annabel touched the nation’s heart towards the end of 2023 when she performed an emotional couple’s choice dance with her professional partner Johannes Radebe as a tribute to Mel.
But now viewers will be able to see just how much he meant to Annabel once more.
Annabel Croft to host new three-part series on ITV This Morning
The former professional tennis player will be hosting a campervan travel series on This Morning as she makes her way across North Yorkshire in her “trusty camper” called Vannabel.
The three-part series titled Camper Vannabel means a lot to Annabel as she used to explore the UK in the vehicle with her husband.
In an exclusive from The Mirror, she said: “A few years ago, my late husband Mel and I, converted an old delivery van with the idea of exploring the best of Britain together. Life doesn’t always work out the way you plan and although I have some wonderful memories of us in Vannabel, I want to continue what we started and spend more time discovering Britain.
"Strap yourselves in because we are going off-grid from coastlines to countryside, so pitch up with Vannabel and I for our journey of discovery.”
Annabel Croft said Strictly ‘was such a distraction from terrible grief’
When Annabel joined Strictly last year, she previously said she “didn’t know where I would be” without the BBC series as she grieved her late husband.
Annabel commented: “I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t had Strictly at this period of time.
“Because it has been such a distraction away from terrible grief and you know, I had no concept of what grief was. So, to be able to get up in the morning and to have a purpose rather than just sobbing at home, even though that still happens.”
Annabel and Johannes just missed out on being in the final three on Strictly and were voted off the show by the judges.
She was the tenth celebrity to leave after facing the dance-off with Bobby Brazier.
Have you ever wondered what happens after our show goes off air? We kept the cameras rolling to give you an exclusive sneak peek! 👀#ThisMorning pic.twitter.com/JK8RjskOrD
— This Morning (@thismorning) April 12, 2024
Recommended reading:
- Who was Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft's late husband Mel Coleman?
- Strictly's Annabel Croft offers support to GMB's Kate Garraway after Derek's death
- Strictly star 'heartbroken' her late husband won't see her on new series
When does Camper Vannabel start on ITV This Morning?
The first episode of Camper Vannabel will air on This Morning from 10am today (April 16).
It will be available to watch on ITV1 and ITVX.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here