'I JUST TRY TO STAY POSITIVE'

Tennis pundit Annabel Croft on learning to live with grief - and the joy that babies bring

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When HELLO! meets Annabel Croft in a bustling cafe in the heart of Wimbledon, she is in the throes of another busy day. Having just returned from the French Open, the broadcaster, tennis pundit and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant is preparing to head to the Queen's Club tournament. Next week she has a stint commentating for the BBC at Wimbledon.

In between planning a house move – she's downsizing from the family home – and having meetings about an exciting new project, she has even managed to squeeze in a morning game of tennis. Yet, far from appearing frazzled, she is as elegant as ever.

“Keeping active is the only way to survive, so that is very much part of my routine,” says Annabel, who is adapting to anew way of life following the death of her husband, Mel Coleman, two years ago.

Even though she has endured so much, Annabel, 58, has lots to look forward to this year.

In August, her son, Charlie, 29, marries Boodles heiress Honour Wainwright, and the following month she will become a grandmother when her daughter, Amber, 31, gives birth to her first child with husband Hector, shortly before Annabel embarks on her first ever theatre speaking tour.