In the world of tennis royalty and television charm, Annabel Croft has long captivated audiences with her grace and resilience. The former British No. 1 player, who rose to fame in the 1980s and later shone on shows like Strictly Come Dancing, has now stepped into a new chapter of life that blends profound joy with bittersweet remembrance. At 59, Croft is beaming as ‘Grannabel,’ utterly besotted with her first grandchild, a baby boy named Arlo William Melvyn Llewellyn. This heartwarming arrival, announced by her eldest daughter Amber, 31, and son-in-law Hector Llewellyn, comes as a beacon of light just two years after the devastating death of her devoted husband, Mel Coleman.

Annabel’s journey to grandmotherhood is nothing short of inspirational. Amber, a yoga instructor, shared touching photos of the newborn, cradling him with a radiant smile and captioning the post, ‘Meet our little bear. Love you so so so much it hurts.’ The name Arlo William Melvyn holds deep emotional weight, serving as a poignant tribute to Mel, whose middle name echoes in the child’s moniker. Fans and family alike have flooded social media with adoration, hailing it as a ‘tearful homage’ that honors the enduring legacy of a man who touched so many lives. Annabel herself commented, ‘”Grannabel” is besotted. He’s completely adorable,” her words dripping with the pure delight of new beginnings.

This milestone arrives amid a whirlwind of family celebrations for the Croft-Coleman clan. Weeks before Arlo’s birth, Annabel’s son Charlie, 29, wed Boodles jewelry heiress Honour Wainwright in a lavish society affair. Her younger daughter, Lily, 27, recently announced her engagement to Felix McCorquodale, a relative of Princess Diana’s stepmother Raine, adding layers of happiness to an already eventful year. Even psychotherapist Julia Samuel, a confidante of the late Princess Diana, chimed in with congratulations, welcoming ‘devoted grandma Annabel Croft’ to the fold.

Yet, beneath the euphoria lies the shadow of profound loss. Mel Coleman, a former professional yachtsman turned investment banker, passed away in May 2023 at age 60 after a mere eight-week battle with stage 4 colon cancer. Diagnosed out of the blue, his sudden decline left Annabel and their three children—Amber, Lily, and Charlie—in utter devastation. Annabel has openly shared the trauma, recounting how she wailed in the hospital car park while Mel comforted her, and the ‘cruel’ words of a nurse discussing do-not-resuscitate orders in his presence, which left her traumatized. The couple, married since 1992, shared a life filled with adventure, from yacht races to founding the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy in 2009, coaching hundreds of young players.

Annabel’s path through grief has been public and poignant, especially during her 2023 Strictly stint, where partner Johannes Radebe became a ‘reason to get out of bed.’ She delayed collecting Mel’s ashes for 11 months, only doing so for Amber’s wedding—though now, with Arlo’s arrival, it feels like a full-circle moment of healing. As she continues commentating at Wimbledon and touring theaters, this new role as grandmother symbolizes renewal. Fans see Arlo not just as a bundle of joy, but as a living bridge to Mel’s spirit, evoking tears and smiles in equal measure. In a world often marked by loss, Annabel’s story reminds us of love’s power to endure, turning sorrow into a foundation for future happiness.