Annabel Croft says Strictly Come Dancing co-star broke down over ‘backstage stress’

has opened up about the emotional toll can take on its stars, revealing that one of her co-stars was left in tears due to the stress of participating in the popular show.

Strictly has been shrouded in controversy in recent years, with several stars leaving the show amidst allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Giovanni Pernice, a former champion, did not return for the 2024 series after his 2023 dance partner, Amanda Abbington, accused him of abusive behaviour behind the scenes.

He did not return to the show despite Pernice denying the allegations and the clearing him after an internal investigation.

Similarly, Graziano Di Prima also did not return for the 2024 series following allegations that he had been abusive towards his 2023 dance partner, Love Island’s Zara McDermott. Di Prima later admitted to kicking McDermott during rehearsals.

Now, tennis legend Annabel Croft has shed further light on the tensions behind the scenes during the 2023 series. The 58-year-old, who was paired with Johannes Radebe and made it to the semi-finals before being eliminated, painted a rather grim picture of the contestants’ experience on the show, reports .

The Sun quoted former contestant, addressing a crowd in London: “There is a lot of stress behind the scenes. You were rehearsing next door to various couples and would see doors being slammed and somebody running off down the road and lots of tears.”

Express Online has reached out to for a statement.

Opening up during her stint on the series, Annabel disclosed she joined the dance show as a tribute to her late husband, sailor Mel Coleman, who passed away earlier in the year. She was overwhelmed with emotion and could hardly contain her tears, knowing he wouldn’t be there to witness her perform live.

She confided to the Daily Mail, reflecting on her poignancy: “So I just sat and cried. Mel was my biggest supporter, my protector. He gave me confidence. He made things right, always had done. I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to say: ‘I am really nervous for tomorrow, but I don’t have you to make it OK.'”.

She expressed her heartache before stepping onto the stage: “I was about to go out in front of millions of people and be jolly and happy, but I was sobbing, thinking: ‘I don’t know where you are, Mel. Where have you gone?’.”

Upon leaving, Annabel reminisced fondly about her Strictly adventure: “It’s been the most life-changing and extraordinary experience of my life. I have to congratulate Bobby and Dianne and all the contestants who took part in it. But obviously, it’s been an amazing, magical experience for me.”

Annabel praised Johannes, gushing: “You have been absolutely extraordinary. You have given me a reason to get out of bed and come and dance with you, distract me, and heal me. I can’t thank you enough for that. You have been so patient, so caring, and so loving. You are an unbelievably special human being. I adore you. Thank you so much.”