Strictly Come Dancing’s Graziano di Prima has shared a touching story about his late co-star Robin Windsor
Latin and Ballroom star Robin appeared on the BBC show for four series from 2010 until 2013 and was partnered with Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden. Prior to his death, friends of Robin, who sadly passed away earlier this month at 44, were reportedly searching for him for three days after he seemingly vanished.
On February 20, however, it was announced that he had tragically been found dead in his London hotel room. Now, 29-year old Italian dancer and former colleague Graziano has recalled a tender moment between the pair, in which Robin asked him for help.
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“He was always the one who would push himself to the limit on a tour,” revealed Graziano, who added that Robin was shaking because he hurt so much. One day he came and said to me, ‘Please help me, I’ve got so much pain in my shoulder’, and he was shaking from the pain.” Graziano told The Express.
(Image: @grazianodiprima/Instagram)
Even when they rehearsed non-stop for two weeks, “amazing” Robin “wouldn’t stop” even though he was visibly “in pain”, he added. Graziano continued: “He showed people that if you really love dancing, you can do it, no matter how much pain you’re in. He was so strong.”
Robin had to leave Strictly after four years because of a bad back injury that gave him a slipped disc and loads of pain. It was a tough time for him because he loved dancing so much. Fellow pro Kristina Rihanoff, who danced with him on Burn The Floor and the Strictly Live tours, went on to say on social media that he’d been left “absolutely destroyed” after he was dropped by BBC bosses back in 2015.
(Image: Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Graziano, whose tour, Believe, is set to begin next month, relates to Robin’s work ethic and determination in spite of struggles. Born prematurely and suffering a childhood of being “sickly” and “skinny”, he believes his passion for dance “saved” him, giving him a focus and encouraging him to keep on going.
Later, his health improved, but as a child from a “humble” family who’d grown up on a farm, dance lessons and transport to competitions were difficult to afford. “It wasn’t easy – my parents couldn’t support me economically,” he explained, recalling how car journeys to some performances had taken 12 hours.
(Image: PA)
“I learnt the [need for] sacrifice straight away,” Graziano continued, adding that his mum, who he counts as his “best friend forever” refused to buy him fashionable Nike trainers so they could save money to make his dream come true.
The struggles paid off, as now the performer will be launching his very own solo tour, telling the story of his journey from a rural Sicilian farm surrounded by vineyards and tractors to the international dance stage.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
