Johannes Radebe tearful as Strictly partner Annabel Croft sends surprise message

Watch Johannes Radebe tearful as Strictly partner Annabel Croft sends surprise message

What did you miss?

Johannes Radebe was emotional as his latest Strictly Come Dancing partner Annabel Croft surprised him with a sweet message as he joined the Loose Women panel.

The dancer was on the ITV show alongside Kaye Adams and Nadia Sawalha for a special Loose Men edition that also featured I’m A Celebrity winner Sam Thompson. And he looked stunned as tennis ace Croft appeared via video message.

Croft – who was paired with Radebe on the last series of the BBC ballroom contest – had taped the sweet tribute as she wished the star luck ahead of his slot on the panel of the ITV show.

What, how, and why?

“Hi Johannes, I know that you are going to be recording a very special edition of Loose Men, and what I do know is that you are one of the most intelligent, intellectual, articulate and astute people I have ever met in my life," she said. "You are going to be absolutely brilliant."

Radebe looked tearful as Croft went on: “Very best of luck. I really hope you enjoy it and I can’t wait to see you soon.” “Sending you lots and lots of love,” she added, blowing a kiss at the star.

The dancer had tears in his eyes as he turned to Adams and joked: “Don’t do that to me!” “I absolutely love that woman,” he said. “I can’t tell you Kaye, I have made a friend for life, I have. She is the sweetest thing alive.”

Croft and Radebe came fourth on the last series of the ballroom contest, with Croft signing up just months after losing Mel Coleman, her husband of 30 years. He passed away in May at the age of 60 after battling cancer.

What else did Johannes Radebe say?

Talking about his bond with the former tennis champion, Radebe said: “I think we all know what Annabel has been through in the past year, with losing her husband. But I really have to say it was when she joined the show that I just honestly admired the fact that people show up in life.

“She showed up with a smile on her face every morning, she came to the studio, and I have to say, I kept on thinking to myself, Johannes, why are you complaining, how can you even feel displaced when you’ve got this woman with so much going on in her life. And then you come with your stories, and this woman has lost a partner for 36 years.

“It was just complete admiration, because I was just like, the world needs more Annabels, so we need to be more like Annabel honestly.”

Read more: Annabel Croft

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