Mel Coleman: Annabel Croft Husband Death And Courage Amidst The Loss
Mel Coleman, a former professional yachtsman and beloved husband of British tennis star Annabel Croft, has made a mark known both on and off the water. From his celebrated participation in elite sailing competitions like the America’s Cup to his life as a devoted family man, Mel’s life was filled with adventure and purpose. He appeared to have avoided the spotlight, but rather loved a private life.
Their story began in 1987 when he met Annabel while teaching her to sail—a meeting that sparked a lifelong bond. Married in 1993, the couple went on to create a beautiful family and launched the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy in 2009. Tragically, Mel Coleman passed away in 2023 after a short battle with stomach cancer, leaving a beloved family, a business legacy and love that continues to inspire.
How Did Mel Coleman Die?
In early 2023, he began experiencing stomach pains, which led to a diagnosis of stage three colon cancer. The disease progressed rapidly, and he succumbed just 16 weeks after the diagnosis. Annabel Croft described the shock of his sudden illness and passing, noting that they had been unaware of his condition until the diagnosis.
Annnabel shared the painful final words from her husband which she admits that it ‘broke her heart “. “I have traumatic flashbacks of the day Mel Coleman died, she recounts. “During his final hours, as he drifted in and out of consciousness, he started listing instructions like: ‘Change the tyre on the van,’ and then saying to the children: ‘Sorry I can’t be there for your weddings.’ That memory breaks my heart.”
The Express reported that she believes their travelling to Portugal must have worsened his condition causing a perforated bowel and subsequent sepsis. The couple travelled to Portugal for some respite but unfortunately Mel passed away just three weeks after their trip.
Mel Coleman Death Has Been Hard on the Family
Annabel explained how it has been surreal. “After Mel died, it didn’t feel real, but as though he was away on a trip and would reappear. Weirdly, the pain of grief feels like it’s growing, rather than easing, because of the realisation that he’s not coming back,” she explained.
They Are Blessed With Three Children
The couple married in 1993 and together had three children: daughters Amber Rose 29 and Lily, 25 and son Charlie, 28. They resided in Coombe, near Wimbledon, in the London borough of Kingston. In 2009, Mel Coleman and Annabel co-founded the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy at the National Tennis Centre, which shows their shared passion for sports and commitment to nurturing young talent.
Mel Coleman Career
Mel Coleman managed their tennis academy and also accompanied her on corporate or TV gigs. The Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, established in 2009 at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Roehampton, London, offers comprehensive coaching to over 350 players weekly. The academy emphasizes a philosophy of “Movement and Repetition,” focusing on drills and exercises designed to enhance players’ technical and tactical skills.
In addition to its London base, the academy expanded to the Pine Cliffs Resort in the Algarve, Portugal, in 2013. This location features five floodlit courts—two clay, three hard, and one padel court—set amidst the resort’s landscaped gardens. The Pine Cliffs facility offers a range of coaching programs suitable for all ages and skill levels, including junior camps and adult clinics
Annabel said she would rather be busy than to “wallow”. She participated in Strictly Come Dancing last year, securing a fourth place with professional partner Johannes Radebe, while Ellie Leach got the Glitterball trophy. She admitted how heartbroken it was that her husband didn’t get to see her perform on Strictly.
‘Mel always loved Strictly. He’d cry watching it and I’m completely heartbroken he’s not here to watch with me,’ she said.
Annabel Croft Return to Wimbledon
She made a return to Wimbledon in 2024, just 14 months after the tragic loss of her husband. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Croft took on prominent roles during the tournament, including conducting on-court interviews with finalists Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. Her insightful commentary and warmness resonated with audiences, leading many viewers to praise her performance and suggest she could be a fitting successor to Clare Balding as the BBC’s lead host for Wimbledon coverage.
She admitted it was tough going back to work after the death of her husband. She told Mail,
‘I don’t actually know how I did it. I cried a lot, I cried every day. There were many times, even backstage, I’d be crying. Then it was extraordinary, how once I had to go out and do the job, I would just lock in to what I knew,’ In many ways, the work was a respite from the terrible grief. It was a brain rest from crying.
This return to Wimbledon was a big lift for Annabel showing her personal strength and courage to press on even in the face of profound loss of her husband Mel Coleman.
