The BBC has released a statement after the cause of death of former Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor was given today following a three-day inquest. A jury ruled the death a suicide after hearing the dancer was “vulnerable to rejection both emotionally and professionally.” Windsor was found dead in the Hoxton Hotel in Shepherd’s Bush, London, on the 19th of February 2024 at the age of 44. The professional dancer had a blood alcohol level over twice the drink-drive limit and had taken the drug GBL.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Our sympathies are with Robin’s family, friends, and all who knew him. The whole of the Strictly Come Dancing family remain deeply saddened by his passing. Robin was a much‑loved member of the team – both on and off air – during his time on the show.
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“As the inquest has heard this week and the jury concluded, several complex factors contributed to how Robin felt at the time of his tragic death and our thoughts remain with all who knew and loved Robin.”
After around two hours of deliberation, a 10 person jury determined that Windsor had taken his own life, concluding that the probable causes were “an accumulation of many attributes to depression”.
“Windsor suffered from childhood trauma, he was vulnerable to rejection, both emotionally and professionally.” the jury forewoman told the court. The jury also agreed that “loneliness, the lack of emotional maturity, the pressure of mounting debts, the lack of consistent mental health care and support and recurring heartache” were “contributing factors” to Windsor’s decision to end his life.
In a note to a close friend left before his death, Windsor said: “This all actually really started when I lost my place on Strictly and I have been fighting it ever since. I had a good run, I’ve done some incredible things in my 44 years and had an unreal life doing what I loved, but all things must come to an end and my curtain has come down for the final time.”
A separate note to ex partner actor Ollie Augstin, who Windsor had broken up with the year prior, read “I need you to understand, this is not your fault!”
The Latin and ballroom dancer joined Strictly in 2010 and danced with actresses Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson and Lisa Riley, and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden in four series until 2013. He could not perform in the 2014 series because of a back injury and was dropped in 2015, but still appeared in the Christmas special that year, dancing alongside TV presenter Alison Hammond.
On reaching the verdict, Coroner van Dellen told Mr Windsor’s family member who was in court: “I hope the family can take some comfort from the joy Robin brought to so many people and the positive effect he had on so many people.” Adding, “That’s a wonderful legacy for Robin to leave.”
Jurors were asked by van Dellen to determine how Windsor came about his death. “You will need to consider the extent to which matters or events probably more than minimally contributed to Robin’s mental health deterioration, which in turn led him to take his own life.” van Dellen explained.
During the inquest, heartbreaking testimonies were heard from Windsor’s friends and colleagues, including Strictly partners Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden and ex-Strictly professional Kristina Rihanoff.
In a statement read at the hearing on Wednesday, Emmerdale star Riley said that Windsor’s “glow had gone” after he was dropped from Strictly.
“It was from this moment, on to the time of his death, he kept slipping deeper and deeper into endless depression,” she said. The soap star said that she and Windsor had a very close relationship that continued on after their time on the 10th series of Strictly had finished. “To say we hit it off was an understatement. We were joined at the hip. Robin was my rock, my best friend.”
If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
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