Annabel Croft embodied the Latin party vibe with her Shakira-inspired samba on Saturday evening.
The former tennis player was not discouraged as she wowed the jury with her rapid performance in “Whenever Wherever” alongside her partner Johannes Radebe, 36.
It was a huge change of tone for the 57-year-old star, who performed an elegant contemporary couple dance in an emotional tribute to her late husband Mel Coleman last week.
But Annabel unexpectedly rose to the challenge by strolling and shaking her way through the number.
Craig Revel Horwood impressed the judges, declaring: “You’ve finally given yourself permission to let off steam.”
Wow: Strictly star Annabel Croft, 57, goes wild with racy samba as she embraces her inner Shakira and lets loose for the latest gig on Saturday night
Insane: The former tennis player let her nerves hang as she wowed the jury with her rapid performance on “Whenever Wherever” alongside her partner Johannes Radebe
Both Craig and Motsi Mabuse admitted they were worried about how Annabel would tackle the samba and were happily surprised by her performance.
Speaking to Claudia Winkleman after the performance, Annabel revealed how much fun she had training this week.
She joked about having no choice but to give it her all when dancing alongside Johannes, teasing: “Watching him, I thought, I have to at least try to mirror him!”
And the public was also thrilled as they took to Twitter to congratulate the star.
One wrote: “I loved this samba from @AnnabelCroft and @jojo_radebe. Annabel is getting stronger. I think it was a brilliant routine.”
While another added: “Come on Annabel you go girl @Annabel_Croft it’s just great to see you dancing your insides @shakira She looks amazing.”
Another wrote: “I feel like this is finally @Annabel_Croft’s I AM HERE dance on #Strictly.”
Regarding her grief, another commented: “Almost like she told her and her husband the story last week and decided it was ok…on and on…what do I have to lose?”…The worst part is happens, so I’m going to have a hell of a time.’
Unexpected: Both Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse admitted they were worried about how Annabel would tackle the samba and were happily surprised by her performance
She has arrived: Craig Revel Horwood impressed the jury and announced: “You have finally given yourself permission to let off steam.”
Fun: Annabel revealed how much fun she had at training this week as she joked that she had no choice but to do her best when dancing alongside Johannes
Amazing: And the audience was also thrilled when they took to Twitter to congratulate the star
Emotional: The former tennis pro reduced the nation to tears on Saturday evening after her emotional “Pair’s Choice” performance alongside her partner Johannes Radebe in honor of her late husband Mel Coleman
This comes after Annabel admitted earlier this week that her dance partner was determined to bring out her sexy side.
Speaking to The Sun, she admitted: “John is trying to bring out that sexy side.” The plan is to channel my inner Shakira, but it will be quite difficult to keep up with her.
“To be honest it’s a little out of my comfort zone, I sweat a lot more than I expected!”
But Johannes made it his mission to bring the inner Shakira out of Annabel.
“I think everyone has a Shakira in them.” “Unfortunately we can’t drink a few proseccos before dancing, but I’ve always believed that anyone, if they feel good, can really win gold,” he said.