Former Strictly Come Dancing star Robin ‘Bobby’ Windsor posted a black and white selfie with the caption ‘hiding within the shadows’ simply weeks earlier than his shock demise.
The beloved skilled Latin and Ballroom dancer, who was greatest identified for his appearances on Strictly between 2010 and 2015, has died aged 44.
Windsor, who began dancing on the age of three and was one of many founding members of dance present Burn The Floor, ‘lit up any room he walked into’, his representatives stated as they confirmed his demise as we speak.
The ‘extraordinarily proficient’ dancer had spent final month entertaining holidaymakers on a Fred Olsen Cruise and he had posted smiling selfies when the boat docked in South Africa.
Windsor 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 appeared joyful as he took photos of elephants on safari and relaxed in a lodge overlooking the beautiful Leopard Mountain sport reserve. The dancer additionally loved a while on the seashores of South Africa, calling them ‘wonderful’.
But Windsor’s final submit on Instagram, which was shared on January 28, was a extra muted selfie within the near-dark with the caption: ‘Hiding within the shadows.’
Tributes have poured in beneath the star’s tragic final submit, with one fan writing: ‘So shocked and saddened to listen to the information. Have adopted him for years since Strictly, a tremendous expertise. RIP.’
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 accomplice 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 needed to get up to this morning. Rip Robin.’
Windsor 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 Windsor on Strictly for Children in Need in 2011, fought again tears on as we speak’s Good Morning Britain after studying of the dancer’s demise.
After co-host Ed Balls introduced the tragic information on Good Morning Britain, Reid instructed viewers: ‘He was a completely outstanding dancer, robust so artistic, he was simply so passionate about dancing. I simply adored him. ‘He was essentially the most unbelievable persona. As quickly as I danced with him there was one thing actually particular about it.’
Robin Windsor’s final submit on Instagram, a black and white selfie, was captioned, ‘hiding within the shadows’
Strictly Come Dancing’s Robin ‘Bobby’ Windsor has died on the age of 44
Windsor is pictured with TV presenter Susanna Reid on Strictly Come Dancing again in 2011
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.’
Robin Windsor not too long ago went on a cruise to South Africa and posed for images. He commented: ‘Sooo pretty to fulfill you each’
Robin Bobby Windsor dazzles in a blue ensemble as he enjoys dancing on a cruise journey simply weeks earlier than his tragic demise
It’s understood that Windsor (left) was acting on board the cruise final month with Gordana Grandosek Whiddon (second from left)
The cruise journey was one of many remaining occasions that Windsor would dance. Here he joined a pal on stage as they docked in Durban, South Africa
Show night time: Robin Windsor (centre) laughs after a ‘enjoyable packed first week’ on board the cruise ship. He commented with two love hearts
The proficient dancer is seen acting on stage on the cruise ship
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 involved with him adored him, from his celeb companions to his working colleagues. You will likely be missed previous pal.’
Windsor was an unique member of dance present Burn The Floor, who introduced the star’s shock demise on their official web site.
Their assertion learn: ‘Burn the Floor household has misplaced considered 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 around the globe.
‘His beautiful picture connected with Jessica Raffa outlined our firm, vibrant, excessive and sensual.
‘His expertise, perspective, power and persona helped create the Burn the Floor stage popularity. He leaves a void in our hearts that can by no means be stuffed, but our fantastic reminiscences will keep eternally’.
From the age of three, Windsor 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.
Strictly Come Dancing’s James Jordan led tributes and stated that Windsor was ‘adored’ by everybody
Fans had been fast to share their condolences after listening to the information of Windsor’s passing
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 as a result of 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.
Windsor 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.
Windsor’s representatives instructed MailOnline: ‘It is with deep sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of our lovely 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 all the time stuffed with enjoyable.
‘Strictly Come Dancing, Burn the Floor and plenty of different dance exhibits together with all the varsity kids across the nation who he gave his time.
A heartbroken Susanna Reid , who partnered with Windsor on Strictly in 2011, fought again tears on as we speak’s Good Morning Britain after studying of the dancer’s demise
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 identified 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
‘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 as we speak. We ask for the household’s privateness at this very troublesome time.’
Founder of Burn the Floor and pal of Robin, Harley Medcalf, stated: ‘We have misplaced a stupendous pal, Robin Windsor, Bobby, one of many founding members of the Burn the Floor household.
‘Robin has handed away in England. A beneficiant, extraordinarily proficient dancer, stuffed with power, life and love.
‘His stage presence outlined the Burn the Floor firm. Whenever we visited London, Robin was all the time the primary to name, all the time there to help, have a good time, snicker and cry collectively.
‘In the picture 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 likely be tremendously missed by all his mates, household and followers around the globe.’
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.
Tributes have poured in to Windsor this morning, with Strictly’s Amy Dowden describing him as a ‘variety, proficient soul’
Fellow dancer Giselle Rojas Peacock wrote: ‘I used to be shocked to seek out out as we speak we misplaced one other Dancer and Friend Robin Jamie Windsor.
‘This one hits dwelling 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 cherished by everybody, the sweetest human. Just like a large teddy bear.
‘You mild up the stage with such an power and it was all the time a pleasure to bounce with you.
‘We had so many laughs, tears, highs and lows collectively and though life took us in separate instructions and the lord has taken you to quickly, I feel all us will cherish so many reminiscences with you in them.
‘RIP my good pal. My coronary heart breaks as we speak for all who cherished 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 methods to discover the phrases to this submit. I’ll dearly miss you Robin Windsor
‘This one is hitting me onerous and too near dwelling.
‘My deepest condolences go to your loved ones and everybody who knew you! You had been one other one who was cherished 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 mates flooded X with tributes to the late dancer
The skilled Latin and Ballroom dancer (pictured in October 2023) was greatest identified 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 journey in 2013 earlier than splitting years later.
He additionally beforehand dated Marcus Collins, the singer who featured on The X Factor in 2011.
In 2018, Robin opened up about his wrestle with melancholy whereas he featured on Strictly Come Dancing, saying: ‘We all have darkish days however I used to be having darkish weeks.
‘I’d find yourself not getting off the bed for 4 or fives days at a time, so far as everybody was involved I used to be ‘joyful Robin’ – count on to the folks I lived with.’
Robin additionally skilled psychological well being points when he suffered two big setbacks, shedding his job on Strictly and splitting together with his fiancé.
He stated: ‘I used to be nonetheless on Strictly on the time it began – it was actually unhealthy.
‘A number 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.’
In a press release saying his demise, Sisco Entertainment stated: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we announce the tragic passing of our beloved pal, 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 skill to precise emotion by means of 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 realizing him.
‘Robin, you may be deeply missed.
‘Though Come What May will proceed with out you, your legacy will dwell on within the hearts of all who had been lucky sufficient to share in your mild.’