KATIE HIND: Strictly dancer Robin Windsor discovered lifeless in a London resort
Former Strictly Come Dancing skilled Robin Windsor was discovered lifeless in a London resort, as his buddies element his courageous battle towards psychological well being struggles and ideas of suicide.
The skilled Latin and Ballroom dancer, 44, suffered a troubling incident over the New Year interval, earlier than embarking to carry out on an expensive cruise in South Africa.
And simply days after he returned to London, Mail+ understands, he was discovered lifeless in a resort.
While the reason for Robin’s dying has but to be confirmed, his shut good friend and former Strictly co-star Kristina Rihanoff hinted that he could have taken his personal life.
She wrote on-line: ‘There are no words to express the pain.
‘Robin wasn’t simply my dance companion, he was a good friend and collectively we shared limitless experiences from our profession highlights to hitting all-time low of rejection. Many of you, who went to see his farewell tour, know completely nicely that he spoke very brazenly about his psychological well being struggles and ideas of suicide.
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Robin Windsor and Kristina Rihanoff through the launch of their Burn the Floor dance present in 2013
Strictly Come Dancing’s Robin ‘Bobby’ Windsor has died on the age of 44, it was introduced at present
On January 4 (left), Robin had shared a message together with his buddies and followers which stated: ‘Big shout out and like to everybody who’s reached out and checked within the final week. Sorry I’ve not replied… it has been a little bit of a making an attempt time and issues are trying up. Robin.’ On January 21, he hinted at trauma (proper) by sharing a quote from Dr Thema Bryant
Robin Windsor’s final put up on Instagram, a black and white selfie, was captioned, ‘hiding within the shadows’
‘I’m certain it was devastating for anybody who loves Robin to listen to that, however these ideas have been in his head for a few years… Too a lot ache, an excessive amount of disappointment, an excessive amount of neglect.’
In a second put up she confirmed her followers her and Robin’s final rehearsal collectively in late November, including: ‘If I solely knew it is the final ever dance… could you dance with the angels with no extra ache my good friend.’
Robin spent his closing weeks bringing pleasure to others – at the same time as he revealed he was ‘hiding within the shadows’ and hinted at ‘trauma’ in a sequence of haunting social media posts weeks earlier than he handed away.
Dragons’ Den star Deborah informed followers about Robin and her mom’s social meet up in a put up on X in late January, writing: ‘Don’t you simply like it!’
Meanwhile, a fan revealed how she got here throughout Robin throughout a cha cha class, the place he had agreed to bounce along with her as a result of she didn’t have a companion. ‘A gentleman – sending like to his family and friends,’ she wrote in a heartfelt tribute on Instagram.
Despite this, Robin informed his followers on January 14: ‘Remember, when one thing goes mistaken within the circus, they ship within the clowns to distract the viewers. Well, one thing has gone very mistaken with this circus and the clowns are all over the place.’
It comes after Robin beforehand opened up about his struggles with despair on Strictly. In 2018, he revealed: ‘We all have darkish days however I used to be having darkish weeks. I’d find yourself not getting away from bed for 4 or fives days at a time, so far as everybody was involved I used to be ‘glad Robin’ – besides to the folks I lived with.’
In one other poignant interview with a psychological well being charity final 12 months, he stated: ‘I used to be at all times seen as a contented individual, at all times with an enormous smile on my face. Now I realise that these with the largest smiles generally can cover the largest ache.’
Dragons’ Den star Deborah informed followers about her mom assembly Robin in a put up in late January, writing: ‘Don’t you simply like it!’
Robin Windsor had been spending a while in Cape Town when the cruise ship docked. He wrote: ‘This place is the distraction of all distractions.’
Meanwhile, a fan revealed how she got here throughout Robin throughout a cha cha class, the place he had agreed to bounce along with her as a result of she didn’t have a companion
On January 14, he posted: ‘Remember, when one thing goes mistaken within the circus, they ship within the clowns to distract the viewers. Well, one thing has gone very mistaken with this circus and the clowns are all over the place.’
He additionally beforehand informed how was left struggling to get away from bed after his relationship together with his fiancé Davide Cine ended, he misplaced his job on Strictly and he needed to pay a £100,000 tax invoice – as his world got here crashing down all on the identical time.
Robin, who stated he had battled with despair from the age of 19, would later get right into a relationship with, X Factor star Marcus Collins – however their 18-month romance resulted in 2015.
He stated: ‘I used to be nonetheless on Strictly on the time it began – it was actually unhealthy. A variety of issues occurred on the identical time, fairly unhealthy issues, which set it in movement. My damage, a monetary state of affairs, my engagement [to Davide] had ended and I misplaced my job on Strictly all on the identical time so it took its toll.’
Robin additionally revealed how he struggled to look at Strictly after he was axed by bosses in 2014 following a ‘horrible again operation‘. He beforehand stated: ‘Leaving Strictly wasn’t my selection. I had a horrible again operation they usually determined that they did not wish to ask me again the subsequent 12 months.
‘It was in all probability for well being and security causes, in case one thing occurred, however I used to be bodily match. One of my greatest buddies Trent Whiddon, who changed me to bounce with Pixie Lott, I wished to look at and assist him, nevertheless it broke my coronary heart.’
‘I used to be with Marcus Collins from the X Factor, who was my companion on the time, and stated to him, ‘I’m actually struggling to look at the present.’
‘He informed me the most effective factor to do was to actually get behind and assist everyone. He stated it was exhausting for him to look at the success of Little Mix, who beat him on X Factor.’
Robin, who began dancing on the age of three, was greatest recognized for his appearances on Strictly between 2010 and 2015.
The ‘extraordinarily gifted’ dancer spent final month entertaining holidaymakers by acting on a Fred Olsen Cruise and posted smiling selfies when the boat docked in South Africa.
But he additionally hinted he was coping with ‘trauma’ and thanked his family and friends for his or her assist in a string of posts earlier than his dying.
Robin Windsor is pictured with TV presenter Susanna Reid on Strictly Come Dancing for Children in Need again in 2011
Robin Windsor lately went on a cruise to South Africa and posed for images. He commented: ‘Sooo beautiful to satisfy you each’
Robin Bobby Windsor dazzles in a blue ensemble as he enjoys dancing on a cruise journey simply weeks earlier than his tragic dying
It’s understood that Robin Windsor (left) was acting on board the cruise final month with Gordana Grandosek Whiddon (second from left)
The cruise journey was one of many closing occasions that Robin Windsor would dance. Here he joined a good friend on stage as they docked in Durban, South Africa
Show evening: Robin Windsor (centre) laughs after a ‘enjoyable packed first week’ on board the cruise ship. He commented with two love hearts
The gifted dancer is seen acting on stage on the cruise ship the place he entertained holidaymakers as they travelled the world
On January 27, Robin posed in entrance of a marina with Cape Town’s Table Mountain within the background with the caption: ‘This place is the distraction of all distractions!’
He seemed glad as he took footage of elephants on safari and relaxed in a lodge overlooking the beautiful Leopard Mountain recreation reserve. The dancer had additionally loved a one-night cease in Mozambique and was seen enjoyable on the seashore and posing with a Lemur in Madagascar within the days prior.
But Robin’s final put up on Instagram, which was shared to his 46,000 followers on January 28, was a extra muted selfie within the near-dark with the caption: ‘Hiding within the shadows.’
Seven days earlier, the dancer had reposted a quote which stated: ‘Trauma teaches you to anticipate and settle for the naked minimal. In this new season, could you alter your requirements and study to obtain the utmost. You are worthy. You are sufficient. You deserve overflow.’
And on January 4, he had shared a message together with his buddies and followers which stated: ‘Big shout out and like to everybody who’s reached out and checked within the final week. Sorry I’ve not replied… it has been a little bit of a making an attempt time and issues are trying up. Robin.’
Tributes have poured in beneath the star’s tragic final selfie, with one fan writing: ‘So shocked and saddened to listen to the information. Have adopted him for years since Strictly, an incredible expertise. RIP.’
His psychological well being turned so unhealthy that he could not get away from bed and he admitted that he thought-about taking his personal life till he was talked out of it. It was at this level he began searching for assist – largely from psychological well being charity Sane.
Another added: ‘So unhappy & shocked. Just a few weeks in the past I used to be dancing in his arms for 90mins as I did not have a companion in a cha cha cha class. A gentleman. A mild man. A magical day for me. Sending like to his family and friends RIP.’
A 3rd posted: ‘No longer within the shadows however within the mild.’ A fourth additionally stated: ‘This was not the information I wished to get up to this morning. Rip Robin.’
Robin three weeks in the past in South Africa the place he was dancing on a cruise ship that was going world wide
Baby Robin being held by his older sister as a baby. He started dancing on the age of three and was successful competitions in major faculty (proper)
Robin in a shot for a major faculty present he was in shared on Instagram
Robin as a youngster after he left Ipswich to develop into a dancer in London when he was 15
Robin Windsor and Marcus Collins, a X-Factor finallist mentored by Gary Barlow. They had deliberate to marry however cut up in 2015
Robin’s final long run relationship seems to have been with X-Factor star Marcus Collins, who shared this picture of them collectively at present
Strictly Come Dancing’s James Jordan led tributes and stated that Windsor was ‘adored’ by everybody
South African dancer Oti Mabuse additionally paid tribute to the late star and described him as ‘one of many kindest, loving, skilled, artistic and exquisite people’
Fans have been fast to share their condolences after listening to the information of Robin Windsor’s passing
Robin had flown out to affix the cruise within the Indian Ocean at the start of January. He visited Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa whereas dancing for company. While in Madagascar, he seemed joyful and took half in a conventional dance with locals.
The dancer additionally stayed at a five-star safari lodge known as Leopard Mountain the place he noticed elephants, giraffes, warthogs and lions. Robin then went on to go to East London and Cape Town, which he described as ‘superb’.
At the tip of final month, he posted a video of him and his companion Gordana Grandosek Whiddon dancing with the caption: ‘The present should go on’.
Ms Whiddon, who additionally carried out on Strictly, paid tribute at present by sharing a video of the dance, alongside the caption, ‘I really like you Bobby’ with a coronary heart and a damaged hearted emoji.
Robin partnered with mannequin Patsy Kensit, EastEnders legend Anita Dobson, Loose Woman Lisa Riley and Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden throughout his stint on Strictly. The Suffolk-born star additionally carried out with This Morning host Alison Hammond within the 2015 Christmas Special.
A heartbroken Susanna Reid, who partnered with Robin on Strictly for Children in Need in 2011, fought again tears on at present’s Good Morning Britain after studying of the dancer’s dying.
After co-host Ed Balls introduced the tragic information on Good Morning Britain, Reid informed viewers: ‘He was a fully exceptional dancer, sturdy so artistic, he was simply so captivated with dancing. I simply adored him. ‘He was probably the most unbelievable character. As quickly as I danced with him there was one thing actually particular about it.’
Former Strictly dancer James Jordan additionally paid tribute, posting: ‘I had the pleasure of working with this man for a few years on Strictly.
‘Everyone who got here in touch with him adored him, from his superstar companions to his working colleagues. You will probably be missed outdated good friend.’
A heartbroken Susanna Reid , who partnered with Robin Windsor on Strictly in 2011, fought again tears on at present’s Good Morning Britain after studying of the dancer’s dying
Entertainment correspondent Richard Arnold additionally turned overcome with emotion discussing Robin as he struggled to get his phrases out
Robin Windsor and Deborah Meaden on Strictly Come Dancing
Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor throughout Strictly Come Dancing launch occasion on the BBC Studios again in 2011
The skilled Latin and Ballroom dancer was greatest recognized for his appearances on BBC ‘s Strictly Come Dancing for 5 years between 2010-2015
Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor carry out a dance on a ‘Burn The Floor’ present in 2013
Long-time Strictly choose Craig Revel Horwood remembered Robin as ‘one of many kindest, mild, sincere, humorous and caring folks I’ve had the pleasure of figuring out and dealing with’.
He added that the dancer can be ‘without end missed’ as he despatched his assist to Robin’s household and buddies.
Robin was an authentic member of dance present Burn The Floor, who introduced the star’s shock dying on their official web site.
Their assertion learn: ‘Burn the Floor household has misplaced certainly one of its founding members, Robin ‘Bobby’ Windsor – who has tragically handed away.
‘A BTF journeyman he danced with us for twenty years – together with Broadway, The West End and all our loopy adventures world wide.
‘His beautiful picture connected with Jessica Raffa outlined our firm, vibrant, excessive and sensual.
‘His expertise, perspective, power and character helped create the Burn the Floor stage popularity. He leaves a void in our hearts that may by no means be stuffed, but our great reminiscences will keep without end’.
From the age of three, Robin studied Latin and Ballroom and his expertise and dedication to his vocation took him to the best stage of competitors the place he gained quite a few World Championships.
In 2010, his first 12 months on Strictly, he danced with Patsy Kensit
In 2011 he was partnered with EastEnders actress and singer Anita Dobson
He joined the solid of present Burn The Floor in 2001 and toured the world for 10 years, with a nine-month run on Broadway.
He obtained his TV break on Strictly in 2010 however was pressured to tug out of the sequence in 2014 attributable to a slipped disc which left him paralysed for 4 days. While he by no means gained the Glitterball Trophy, he got here seventh with Patsy Kensit and Anita Dobson.
Robin additionally appeared in Dancing With The Stars Australia and So You Think You Can Dance within the Netherlands and assisted within the choreography for the Australian model of So You Think You Can Dance, in addition to performing as a motivational speaker.
His representatives informed MailOnline: ‘It is with deep sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of our stunning Robin.
‘Robin’s dancing began from a really younger age and by no means stopped. He lit up any room he walked into, he was a nurturing soul at all times filled with enjoyable.
‘Strictly Come Dancing, Burn the Floor and lots of different dance exhibits together with all the college youngsters across the nation who he gave his time.
‘Robin was a robust advocate for psychological well being and labored carefully with the ‘Sane Charity’. The dance world has misplaced a few of its sparkle at present. We ask for the household’s privateness at this very tough time.’
Founder of Burn the Floor and good friend of Robin, Harley Medcalf, stated: ‘We have misplaced a lovely good friend, Robin Windsor, Bobby, one of many founding members of the Burn the Floor household.
‘Robin has handed away in England. A beneficiant, extraordinarily gifted dancer, filled with power, life and love.
Tributes have poured in to Robin Windsor this morning, with Strictly’s Amy Dowden describing him as a ‘variety, gifted soul’
‘His stage presence outlined the Burn the Floor firm. Whenever we visited London, Robin was at all times the primary to name, at all times there to assist, have fun, snigger and cry collectively.
‘In the photograph connected a extremely emotional Robin was simply off stage after his final efficiency with Burn The Floor Reunion Tour in Birmingham in 2022.’
‘Our hearts are damaged he will probably be tremendously missed by all his buddies, household and followers world wide.’
Performance arts theatre Burn The Floor, the place Robin danced for 20 years and was a founding member, stated there’s a ‘void’ of their coronary heart because the tragic passing.
Fellow dancer Giselle Rojas Peacock wrote: ‘I used to be shocked to search out out at present we misplaced one other Dancer and Friend Robin Jamie Windsor.
‘This one hits house as we had so a few years dancing performing and touring collectively everywhere in the world in Burn the Floor.
‘One of the unique members and poster boy of Burn, Bobby was so liked by everybody, the sweetest human. Just like a large teddy bear.
‘You mild up the stage with such an power and it was at all times a pleasure to bounce with you.
‘We had so many laughs, tears, highs and lows collectively and although life took us in separate instructions and the lord has taken you to quickly, I believe all us will cherish so many reminiscences with you in them.
‘RIP my good good friend. My coronary heart breaks at present for all who liked you. And there have been many.’
Strictly choreographer Patrick Helm stated Robin was unaware of how a lot he meant to folks.
He wrote: ‘I do not even know how one can discover the phrases to this put up. I’ll dearly miss you Robin Windsor.
‘This one is hitting me exhausting and too near house.
‘My deepest condolences go to your loved ones and everybody who knew you! You have been one other one who was liked by so many however could not see it himself.
Performance arts theatre Burn The Floor, the place Robin danced for 20 years and was a founding member, stated there’s a ‘void’ of their coronary heart because the tragic passing
Fans and buddies flooded X with tributes to the late dancer
The skilled Latin and Ballroom dancer (pictured in October 2023) was greatest recognized for his appearances on BBC ‘s Strictly Come Dancing for 5 years between 2010-2015
‘May you lastly be free and discover piece. RIP Bobby.’
Robin was beforehand engaged to ex-partner Davide Cini and proposed on a romantic New York helicopter trip in 2013 earlier than splitting years later.
He additionally beforehand dated Marcus Collins, the singer who featured on The X Factor in 2011.
In an announcement saying his dying, Sisco Entertainment stated: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we announce the tragic passing of our beloved good friend, Robin Windsor.
‘Robin’s presence in Come What May was greater than only a efficiency; it was an embodiment of ardour, grace, and sheer expertise.
‘His extraordinary capability to precise emotion by motion captivated audiences, leaving them spellbound with each step.
‘Beyond his impeccable dancing, Robin’s vibrant spirit lit up the room, infusing rehearsals and performances with infectious power and heat.
‘His laughter was contagious, his kindness boundless.
‘His friendship was a present cherished by all who had the privilege of figuring out him.
‘Robin, you can be deeply missed.
‘Though Come What May will proceed with out you, your legacy will reside on within the hearts of all who have been lucky sufficient to share in your mild.’
Robin Windsor attending the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012
Robin Windsor strikes a pose for the cameras with Lisa Riley throughout Strictly in 2013
Alex Jones and Robin Windsor dance on the Radio Times Festival on the Green at Hampton Court Palace in London in 2015
