Strictly professional Robin Windsor was reportedly found dead in a London hotel.
Robin had partnered with the likes of GMB star Susanna Reid and This Morning’s Alison Hammond during his time on the glitzy BBC programme before he was brutally axed in 2014. According to friends and reports, he’d suffered a number of devastating blows since leaving Strictly Come Dancing a decade ago.
The Latin and Ballroom dancer had been performing on a luxurious cruise ship in South Africa, going through a troubling time over the New Year. Days after returning to UK soil, it is reported he was found dead in a hotel, according to MailOnline.
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His cause of death has not yet been confirmed, however his co-star and Strictly dance partner Kristina Rihanoff seemed to indicate to fans in a tribute post that Robin had been struggling with his mental health. She penned: “There are no words to express the pain.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Robin wasn’t just my dance partner, he was a friend and together we shared endless experiences from our career highlights to hitting rock bottom of rejection. Many of you, who went to see his farewell tour, know perfectly well that he spoke very openly about his mental health struggles and thoughts of suicide.”
Kristina went on to add: “I’m sure it was devastating for anyone who loves Robin to hear that, but those thoughts were in his head for many years… Too much pain, too much disappointment, too much neglect.”
In an emotional follow up post, she shared to her story, she shared their last ever rehearsal together from November 2023. She penned: “If I only knew it’s the last ever dance… may you dance with the angels with no more pain my friend.”
(Image: Getty Images)
In the weeks following the new year, Robin hinted to fans on social media that he’d been suffering. On January 4, he penned: “Big shout out and love to everyone who’s reached out and checked in the last week. Sorry I have not replied… it’s been a bit of a trying time and things are looking up. Robin.”
Other posts also indicated he may have been struggling during his time on the MS Bolette, as he posted: “This place is the distraction of all distractions! #capetown #southafrica #tablemountain.”
Another quote that he’d shared with fans read: “Trauma teaches you to expect and accept the bare minimum. In this new season, may you adjust your standards and learn to receive the maximum. You are worthy. You are enough. You deserve overflow.”
He also told fans on January 14: “Remember, when something goes wrong in the circus, they send in the clowns to distract the audience. Well, something has gone very wrong with this circus and the clowns are everywhere.”
Back in 2018, Robin opened up about the “dark weeks” he’d suffered with depression following his departure from Strictly. He explained: “We all have dark days but I was having dark weeks. I would end up not getting out of bed for four or fives days at a time, as far as everyone was concerned I was ‘happy Robin’ – except to the people I lived with.”
(Image: Instagram/ @robinwindsor)
When his relationship to fiancé Davide Cine broke down and he’d been lumped with a £100,000 tax bill, Robin confessed he was left unable to get himself out of bed each day. He also had a brief 18-month romance with X Factor star Marcus Collins but this ended in 2015 – not long after he’d lost his job on Strictly.
In a past interview he confessed: “I was still on Strictly at the time it started – it was really bad. A lot of things happened at the same time, quite bad things, which set it in motion. My injury, a financial situation, my engagement [to Davide] had ended and I lost my job on Strictly all at the same time so it took its toll.”
Robin had also spoke openly about his departure from Strictly in past interviews. He’d detailed at the time that it “wasn’t his choice to leave” and that he wasn’t asked to return after he’d suffered a “horrible back injury”.
He also revealed how he struggled to watch Strictly after he was axed by bosses in 2014 following a “horrible back operation”. He previously said: “Leaving Strictly wasn’t my choice. I had a horrible back operation and they decided that they didn’t want to ask me back the next year.”
He admitted: “It was probably for health and safety reasons, in case something happened, but I was physically fit. One of my best friends Trent Whiddon, who replaced me to dance with Pixie Lott, I wanted to watch and support him, but it broke my heart.”
(Image: Instagram/ @robinwindsor)
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Fans, friends and loved ones flooded social media with their condolences. GMB’s Susanna Reid struggled to contain her emotions on Good Morning Britain, after she’d partnered with Robin in 2011 for the Children In Need special – as her co-star Ed Balls delivered the tragic news.
Ed, who also competed on the BBC programme, told viewers: “He was an absolutely remarkable dancer, strong so creative, he was just so enthusiastic about dancing. I just adored him. He was the most incredible personality. As soon as I danced with him there was something really special about it.”
Paying tribute, former Strictly star James Jordon told his social media network: “I had the pleasure of working with this man for many years on Strictly. Everyone who came in contact with him adored him, from his celebrity partners to his working colleagues. You will be missed old friend.”
Daily Star has contacted a representative for Robin for comment.
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
