Strictly Come Dancing star Annabel Croft has revealed she is bringing a special new series to ITV, to honour her late husband Mel Gibson and says she wants to “continue what we started”.

Mel died at the age of 60 last year, just 16 weeks after being diagnosed with cancer – the couple had been married for more than 30 years and share three children together.

Annabel touched the nation’s heart towards the end of 2023 when she performed an emotional couple’s choice dance with her professional partner Johannes Radebe as a tribute to Mel.

But now viewers will be able to see just how much he meant to Annabel once more.

Annabel Croft to host new three-part series on ITV This Morning

The former professional tennis player will be hosting a campervan travel series on This Morning as she makes her way across North Yorkshire in her “trusty camper” called Vannabel.

The three-part series titled Camper Vannabel means a lot to Annabel as she used to explore the UK in the vehicle with her husband.

In an exclusive from The Mirror, she said: “A few years ago, my late husband Mel and I, converted an old delivery van with the idea of exploring the best of Britain together. Life doesn’t always work out the way you plan and although I have some wonderful memories of us in Vannabel, I want to continue what we started and spend more time discovering Britain.

"Strap yourselves in because we are going off-grid from coastlines to countryside, so pitch up with Vannabel and I for our journey of discovery.”

Kidderminster Shuttle: Do you remember this dance from Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe?Do you remember this dance from Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe? (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)

Annabel Croft said Strictly ‘was such a distraction from terrible grief’

When Annabel joined Strictly last year, she previously said she “didn’t know where I would be” without the BBC series as she grieved her late husband.

Annabel commented: “I don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t had Strictly at this period of time.

“Because it has been such a distraction away from terrible grief and you know, I had no concept of what grief was. So, to be able to get up in the morning and to have a purpose rather than just sobbing at home, even though that still happens.”

Annabel and Johannes just missed out on being in the final three on Strictly and were voted off the show by the judges.

She was the tenth celebrity to leave after facing the dance-off with Bobby Brazier.

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When does Camper Vannabel start on ITV This Morning?

The first episode of Camper Vannabel will air on This Morning from 10am today (April 16).

It will be available to watch on ITV1 and ITVX.