Annabel Croft, the beloved former tennis star, has become a grandmother for the first time, delighting her fans and sharing the joyous news on Instagram. The 59-year-old, who recently lost her husband, Mel Coleman, two years ago, expressed her excitement about embracing this new chapter in her life. In a heartwarming post, she shared adorable photos of herself and her grandson during a sunny outing in Richmond Park, proudly introducing her new title, 'Grannabel'.
The comments section was filled with well-wishes from friends and fellow celebrities. Angela Scanlon, a Strictly Come Dancing star, wrote, 'Divine granny', while Johannes Radebe, her dance partner from the 2023 series, added, 'Grannabel'.
Annabel's daughter, Amber, had recently announced the birth of her son, Arlo William Melvyn Llewellyn, on Instagram, sharing a series of adorable photos. Amber, a yoga instructor, and her husband, financier Hector Llewellyn, welcomed Arlo into the world on September 25th. Annabel's grandson, Arlo, joins her son Charlie and daughter Lily, making her a proud grandmother.
In an interview with HELLO!, Annabel shared her thoughts on becoming a grandmother, stating, 'I'm really excited to become a grandmother. When you have children yourself, it's a whirlwind, and you don't always have time to enjoy the precious moments. Now, I'm looking forward to savoring every second of this new role.'
Annabel's late husband, Mel Coleman, passed away from sepsis in May 2023, aged 60, leaving a profound impact on her life. Mel, an investment banker and yachtsman, died just weeks before their 30th wedding anniversary and four months after being diagnosed with incurable colon cancer. Annabel's grief and love for Mel are evident in her words, as she shared with HELLO!, 'It's been horrendous. Mel was my rock, and his humor is what I miss the most. I don't think I'd be who I am today without him.'
