Robin Windsor ‘was found dead in London hotel’ after Strictly dancer ‘suffered troubling incident’ over New Year
ROBIN Windsor was found dead in a London hotel after he suffered a troubling incident over New Year, according to reports.
The former Strictly Come Dancing professional was remembered as a “nurturing soul” who “lit up any room he walked into” after his death at the age of 44.
It has now emerged that the Latin and Ballroom dancer suffered a troubling incident over New Year.
“He kept saying that something had happened over New Year but he wouldn’t say what it was,” a friend told the Daily Mail.
“He sounded absolutely traumatised – whatever had happened must have been truly awful.”
His final days were spent working on a luxurious cruise ship and taking in the spectacular sights of Africa.
Just days after he returned to the capital, Robin was found dead in a London hotel, the Mail reported.
It is not known how he died.
On January 4, Robin told his followers: “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.”
Weeks later he shared a quote from Dr Thema Bryant hinting that he had experienced trauma.
It 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.”
Robin previously opened up about his depression and revealed he couldn’t watch Strictly after leaving the show.
Robin finished runner-up on the 2012 series with actress Lisa Riley and became one of the show’s most recognisable faces.
He first appeared on the 2010 season with Patsy Kensit, before partnering Anita Dobson two years later and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden in 2013.
Robin also partnered Susanna Reid and Alison Hammond in one-off specials.
His death was confirmed by Sisco Entertainment, which said Robin’s friendship “was a gift cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him”.
Robin left the show in 2014, claiming he was axed by bosses following a “horrible back operation”.
He revealed how he found it difficult to watch the show after his departure, telling MailOnline: “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.
“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.
“I was with Marcus Collins from the X Factor, who was my partner at the time, and said to him, ‘I’m really struggling to watch the show.’
“He told me the best thing to do was to really get behind and support everybody. He said it was hard for him to watch the success of Little Mix, who beat him on X Factor.”
It comes as:
- Co-star James Jordan leads tributes for dancing pro James Jordan
- The Strictly star posted on social media just days before he passed
- Inside Robin’s relationship with ex-boyfriend & X-Factor star Marcus Collins
- He was forced to quit Strictly ‘or risk ending up in wheelchair’
- Susanna Reid fought back tears on today’s Good Morning Britain after learning of the death
- Photos show Robin smiling on cruise just weeks before his passing
An ambassador for mental health charity Sane, he also said he had battled with depression from the age of 19.
Speaking to the charity, he said: “I didn’t really understand when I was 19 years old that I was suffering from depression at that time.
“And as I said, I was fuelling my life with as much as possible without drugs.
“Dancing is really what makes me happy and, without it in my life, I felt lost.
“Thankfully, I was given an opportunity to get back into it and had an incredible job travelling the world.”
Robin described losing his role on the show as “probably the worst thing that could have ever happened”.
He added: “Not really understanding what was going on I found that I was sad.
“And, I know we all have our dark days, but my dark days turned into dark weeks and I wouldn’t get out of bed.
“I didn’t really understand why I was feeling like that or how to get out of that state.”
His final post on Instagram was uploaded on January 28, a dimly lit selfie with the caption: “Hiding in the shadows.”
Inside Strictly star's agonising health battle
The 44-year-old BBC star previously opened up about his exit from the show, before his tragic death.
Robin left Strictly in 2014, claiming bosses had axed him following a “horrible back operation”.
Speaking at the time, he 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.
“It was probably for health and safety reasons, in case something happened, but I was physically fit.”
Talking about when the horror injury happened, Robin explained he had “slipped a disc in [his] back”, adding that “the nerve was exposed, causing agonising pains shooting down [his] leg”.
He said: “I was paralysed on the floor of my friend’s house as the pain was so bad. I was there for three or four days.
“I couldn’t risk going ahead. It was a heartbreaking decision but I had no choice.
“If the slipped disc had popped out while I was dancing, I could have ended up with permanent nerve damage and been in a wheelchair.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.