Annabel Croft collapsed in Vito Coppola’s arms on Sunday night.
The Strictly contestant, 57, was overcome with emotion as the live tour came to an end, following a final performance at London’s O2 Arena.
Annabel was comforted by current series champion Vito, 31, as she wiped away tears before sharing a hug as they said a fond farewell at the farewell party.
Wearing a long black puffer jacket over jeans and a V-neck top, the mother of three accessorized with a gray beanie and carried her belongings in a cow-print bag.
Annabel previously credited the BBC show for “healing” her following the tragic death of her husband Mel Coleman.
Annabel Croft, 57, collapsed in the arms of Vito Coppola, 31, on Sunday night as Strictly’s live tour came to an end, following a final performance at London’s O2 Arena.
The former tennis player was emotional while wiping away tears at the farewell party
Annabel was widowed in May after her husband of 30 years, Mel Coleman, died of cancer (pictured June 2021).
The former tennis player was widowed in May after her husband of 30 years and father of her three children, Charlie, Amber and Lilly, died of cancer.
Annabel said competing on Strictly alongside her partner Johannes Radebe, 36, gave her a new life after the tragedy.
In November, the duo appeared on Good Morning Britain, where they discussed their time on the BBC ballroom dancing competition.
Praising the show, Annabel said: ‘Every time I go into the studio I’m so grateful. It has come at an incredibly dark time in my life. I don’t know where I would be without him.
‘I always said I never really knew pain. I had no idea about it. “It’s given me a reason to be able to get up in the morning and have a purpose instead of just sobbing at home, which sometimes still happens.”
Annabel added: “It’s about being able to use your body to get things out, it’s amazing.”
‘Normally I’m a runner, but dancing gives you that excitement. I think I’m fitter than ever. I feel more flexible than ever.
Wearing a long black puffer jacket over jeans and a V-neck top, the mother-of-three posed for a smiling photo with her tour mate Graziano Di Prima, 29, at the Strictly wrap party.
Annabel was comforted by the current series champion, Vito, before sharing a hug and saying a fond farewell.
Annabel and Graziano were in good spirits as they were joined by his wife Giada Lini.
Vito was clearly the life of the party as he enjoyed the boozy farewell party.
Carlos Gu, Angela Scanlon and Nancy Xu appeared teary-eyed at the end of the night.
In a previous appearance on Lorraine, the former tennis pro shared how dancing helped her rest her brain to avoid “having too many dark thoughts.”
She said: ‘It’s been a nice distraction from the pain. It’s been nice to do something happy and use my body and try to rest my brain from having too many dark thoughts.’
The radio presenter previously revealed she was in a dark place following Mel’s death and cried every day in the weeks following the loss.
Before Strictly, she said she hoped the grueling training program would help her take her mind off the pain and help her “find some joy.”
The sports star almost made it to the Strictly final in December after the judges saved EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier in the semi-final dance.
She relived the magic of Strictly during the tour, but this time Annabel performed with Italian professional Graziano Di Prima, whose partner was Zara McDermott throughout the series.