Come dance strictly star Johannes Radebe has praised his former dance partner Annabel Croft after they bonded over grief during their time on the show last year.
The former tennis star, 57, was a widow after her husband of 30 years Mel Coleman Died of cancer in May 2023, while Johannes, 36, struggled during the series after losing his cousin who committed suicide.
They made it to the semi-finals and are still good friends with Annabel supporting the dancer at the launch of his House of Jojo tour at the London Palladium on Saturday.
Speak with The mirror at the event Johannes said: 'It can be quite difficult because you never know what will happen'. I was afraid of it because it lasts six months and you don't know who you will be paired with.'
Before adding, “But then I got set up with this amazing woman. Not only did Annabel make sure I was okay emotionally, her family also opened their doors to me.'
Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe, 36, has praised his former dance partner Annabel Croft, 57, after they bonded over grief during their time on the show last year (pictured on Saturday)
The former tennis great was widowed in May 2023 after her husband of 30 years Mel Coleman died of cancer, while Johannes struggled with the loss of his cousin who committed suicide (pictured on Strictly in December)
Earlier this year, Johannnes admitted that he had done so almost quit the show after being paired with Annabel.
He said he wasn't happy with the producer's choice to collaborate as Annabel dealt with her husband's death while also dealing with his own grief.
Speaking on the Table Manners podcast Johannes confessed that he was initially confused by the producer's decision and even toyed with the idea of asking not to have a partner that year.
He explained: “When they said I was dancing with her, I thought, what are they trying to achieve? And I say that because two weeks before I started, I buried my cousin who committed suicide.
'I didn't feel anything, I wasn't as excited as normal, because I thought: this should be the most exciting period, I just got back from a very successful tour. But then I had to go home [South Africa].
He continued: “I could have stayed there longer, but after we buried him I had to fly back to Britain to make my audiobook.
'That was hard, and when Strictly started I thought, “Okay, I just felt like I was going through the motions.”
He explained: “When they said I was dancing with her, I thought, what are they trying to achieve? And I say that because two weeks before I started, I buried my cousin who committed suicide.
Johannes said, “I was paired with this wonderful woman. Not only did Annabel make sure I was okay emotionally, her family also opened the doors for me.”
Annabel's husband Mel died from bowel cancer in May 2023, just 16 weeks after he was diagnosed, and throughout the match the sportswoman paid tribute to how much Johannes had helped her (pictured June 2022)
Earlier this year, Joannnes admitted he almost left the show after being linked to Annabel
'I didn't feel anything, I wasn't as excited as normal, because I thought: this should be the most exciting period, I just got back from a very successful tour. But then I had to go home [South Africa].
He continued: 'I could have stayed there longer, but after we buried him I had to fly back to Britain to make my audiobook.
'That was hard, and when Strictly started I thought, “Okay, I just felt like I was going through the motions.”
“So you can imagine when they said to the partners I was like, 'okay great.' I just really wanted to deal with it, but you never give yourself time to deal with whatever you're going through in your life.
“And yes, they said we think you are the person to work with this woman. I told myself, they are coming. I remember calling my agent and thinking, I don't know what's going to happen. Maybe we should say that I shouldn't look for a partner this year, because I really need a time-out.'
Despite worrying about the consequences of Annabel's grief, they became best friends in the process.
“I mean, a lot of people say, 'Oh Johannes, you helped Annabel,' but no, Annabel helped me,” he said.