Inside Annabel Croft’s huge family home with luxury camper van and spacious kitchen after emotional Strictly exit
STRICTLY star Annabel Croft has given fans a rare glimpse inside her stunning family home in west London following her Strictly semi-final exit.
The former tennis player, 57, and professional dance partner Johannes Radebe bowed out of the contest on Sunday night after serving up week after week of incredible performances.
Paying tribute to his celebrity partner, Johannes shared a picture of himself with Annabel and her three grown up children at their home.
The huge open-plan kitchen and dining area features an impressive light fitting that hangs down from a glass conservatory roof, and the space looks to be a social hub.
He wrote on Instagram: “I am overwhelmed by messages and kind words and I would love to say thank you to each and everyone of you for your love and support, and for taking the time to vote throughout this season of strictly.
“There are no words to say how much Annabel, Amber, Lilly and Charlie mean to me. I wish I had known Mel – he must have been an incredible man to have such a beautiful family. I hope we did you proud. Annabel you will always have my heart and a big thank you to your wonderful children because we couldn’t have done this without their support. I end this season with the most wonderful memories to cherish and friends for life.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to @bbcstrictly for sending Annabel my way and also to everyone involved in the making of this show. This experience wouldn’t be what it is without you and I am grateful to be a part of this. You are all amazing.
“Congratulations to this year’s finalists, I am sending you all my love and good luck for the final show.”
Annabel also has a renovated Mercedes Sprinter van that she has toured the country in and which contains all manner of homely fittings and furnishings.
She and late husband Mel bought the van for £13,500 from a scrap yard and spent £12,000 on the project, which they began in the third coronavirus lockdown in 2021.
It took four months, but the results were well worth it and Vannabel, as it is nicknamed, has done plenty of miles since.
The unassuming van is a revelation inside with a bed, dining table, and kitchen appliances.
Annabel previously told The Sun: “I never knew you could do what we did until my husband Mel asked me about fixing up a van when the whole world had shut down.
“I didn’t do camping and wasn’t familiar with the idea of renovating a van, but I started looking at YouTube videos and I simply couldn’t stop.
“Watching all the videos was very overwhelming, but it was so much fun to see what you could do with such a small space.”