Robin Windsor’s former dance partner Lisa Riley reveals how the Strictly Come Dancing star slipped into a deep depression and battled debts before his death in Shepherd’s Bush

The professional dancer Robin Windsor, known for his charisma and skill on the ballroom floor, faced a profound personal struggle after being dropped from Strictly Come Dancing.

His ex-dancing partner and close friend Lisa Riley told an inquest that the star “slipped deeper and deeper into a depression” following the end of his time on the show.

Windsor, who appeared on four series between 2010 and 2013, was found dead at the Hoxton Hotel in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, on February 19, 2024.

A receptionist discovered his body after he failed to check out, and police later found two notes indicating he had taken his own life.

Heartbreaking Messages Left Behind

The notes Windsor left paint a picture of a man wrestling with intense inner turmoil.

One was addressed to a friend, in which he admitted that losing his job on Strictly “destroyed me” and set him on a dark path.

The second note was to his ex-partner, actor Ollie Augustin, with Windsor writing, “I need you to understand that this is not your fault.”

A post-mortem revealed that his death was most likely caused by a combination of drugs and alcohol.

Career Highlights and Setbacks

Robin Windsor was a highly accomplished Latin and Ballroom dancer from a young age, having started dancing at the age of three.

His talent took him to the world stage, including a decade-long tour with Burn The Floor, a nine-month run on Broadway, and international competitions where he won numerous World Championships.

He joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, partnering with Kristina Rihanoff, and later danced with celebrities such as Lisa Riley, Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, and Deborah Meaden.

However, his career faced a major setback in 2014 when he missed a series due to a slipped disc that required surgery.

The BBC chose not to renew his contract in 2015, and this marked a turning point in his mental health.

Lisa Riley Describes His Decline

At the inquest, Lisa Riley recalled the moments she saw Robin spiral after leaving the show.

“From the moment he was dropped by the BBC to the time of his death, he kept slipping deeper into depression,” she said.

Riley highlighted that money problems also weighed heavily on him, as he struggled with mounting debts from buying designer clothes he couldn’t afford.

She also spoke about Robin’s vulnerability, revealing that he confided in her about traumatic events from his childhood, including being molested by a former dance tutor and feeling unsupported by his parents.

Riley said that relationships and love were central to Robin’s emotional struggles, noting that he often sought validation from partners and could be heavily influenced by those around him.

The Mask of Success and Party Lifestyle

While Windsor was known publicly for his flamboyant lifestyle and charm, Riley said this often masked deep emotional pain.

He would take steroids to maintain his physique, mix drugs and alcohol, and use parties as a way to distract from his depression.

Even as he appeared happy and confident in public, he confided to Riley that he felt “endlessly insecure” and trapped in a dark mental space.

Riley also recounted Robin’s experiences with romance, including his engagement to Davide Cini during a New York helicopter ride in 2013, and other relationships such as with Marcus Collins from The X Factor.

Despite these moments of happiness, many of his relationships ended, adding to his emotional strain.

Legacy and Impact

Windsor’s career was remarkable, spanning television appearances on Dancing With The Stars Australia and So You Think You Can Dance in the Netherlands, choreographing for international productions, and acting as a motivational speaker.

Yet, the psychological impact of being unable to do what he loved, combined with public pressures and personal struggles, proved overwhelming.

What’s next?

The inquest into Robin Windsor’s death continues to examine the factors contributing to his mental health decline.

Discussions about support for performers after leaving high-profile roles and how the entertainment industry addresses mental health are expected to follow.

Friends and colleagues have also called for increased awareness and resources for dancers and artists dealing with similar pressures.

For anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. Contact Samaritans at 116 123, visit samaritans.org, or explore support through the CALM website at thecalmzone.net.

Summary

Robin Windsor’s story is a stark reminder of the hidden pressures behind public success.

A world-class dancer who dazzled audiences globally, Windsor faced personal trauma, financial struggles, and heartbreak after losing his role on Strictly Come Dancing.

Despite outward appearances of confidence and charm, he battled deep depression, ultimately leading to his tragic death.

His friends’ testimonies shed light on both his immense talent and the vulnerabilities that went unnoticed by many, highlighting the urgent need for mental health support in the entertainment world.