Annabel Croft has candidly opened up about how much her upcoming Strictly Come Dancing routine means to her ahead of her performance with Johannes Radebe on Saturday evening.
The pair are tackling a Couple's Choice to Birdy's Wings and have decided to dedicate the performance to Croft's late husband Mel Coleman following his death earlier this year.
Coleman - who made one of his final TV appearances on GB News - sadly died in May following a short battle with cancer after complaining of stomach pains.
Just eight weeks after discovering the illness, Coleman died at the age of 60.
Ahead of what will undoubtedly be a tearful performance on Saturday, Croft revealed emotions have been high in the rehearsal room in the days prior.
On Friday, Croft revealed: "I don't know where I'd be if I didn't have Strictly Come Dancing at this period of time.
Mel Coleman died in May this year
GETTY
"It's been such a distraction away from terrible grief and you know, I keep saying I had no concept of what grief was.
"So to be able to get up in the morning and have a purpose rather than just sobbing at home... even though that still happens - and also to use your body I think.
"I'm an ex-athlete so to be able to use your body just to get things out has been really special - it's made me realise how amazing dancing is, it's just incredible," she told Ben Shepherd and Kate Garraway on ITV's GMB.
She also spoke to former Strictly finalist Fleur East about Saturday's routine and just how meaningful it is, candidly admitting: "When Johannes sent me the music, I literally sobbed.
Annabel Croft admitted it's been a tearful week ahead of her Week 7 routines
BBC
"Because the words and the lyrics just mean so much obviously, and it has been a horrific year, I can't even put into words.
"Poor Johannes has had to deal with quite a few tears backstage and in rehearsal rooms and everything," she added as her partner placed a supportive hand on her.
She continued on Tuesday's It Takes Two: "It can come at any time, grief is something that you can't explain to anyone and it comes in great big waves.
"So you know, with this dance, I want to do it for Mel, there's a lot of meaning behind the dance so it's really, really special to be able to do it and I just hope Mel is watching, somewhere, and hopefully will be proud."
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Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe have been one of the most consistent couples this series
BBC
Whether Croft's heartfelt routine will be enough to retain her spot in the competition ahead of yet another dreaded dance-off on Sunday night remains to be seen.
Last week, it was Adam Thomas who managed to narrowly avoid elimination at the expense of Zara McDermott.
But this week, fans fear Thomas could be on his way home following the "mean" routine and song choice given to him by BBC show bosses.
