Robin Windsor struggled after he was axed from Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, an inquest has heard, with friends of the late star sharing the sad extent of his troubles
An inquest into the death of Strictly Come Dancing’s Robin Windsor heard that he claimed the show “destroyed” him in a suicide note. The professional star died aged 44 in 2024 after taking his own life and was found dead at a hotel in Shepherd’s Bush, west London.
In his note, he said that he had been “destroyed” after he was axed by the BBC dancing show in 2015, five years after his first call-up. “This all really started when I lost my job on Strictly and have been fighting it ever since,” Windsor wrote.
He added: “The way they treated me destroyed me…It started me on the road I’m still on. All I wanted from life was to be happy. I loved my job more than anyone else.” He said that he lived “permanently in a dark place,” before writing: “I just can’t live like this anymore, it’s too painful.”
Ending his note, Windsor penned: “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.”
The inquest heard that a post-mortem examination ruled that Windsor’s death was likely due to an overdose of drugs and alcohol. His friend and Strictly partner, actress Lisa Riley, said in a witness statement that after he was axed, his “glow had gone” and he fell “deeper into endless depression”.
Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle on Emmerdale, also disclosed that Windsor had been molested by a former dance tutor. “One night he opened up, telling me of the horrific time he was molested by an old dance tutor and (he) felt his parents never really understood this,” her witness statement read.
Her statement told the inquest that she would often voice her concerns to Windsor, who was insecure about his body and often consumed steroids, along with alcohol, which would put him in a bad place. He was “drowning in debts” and “frantically” spent money on designer items he couldn’t afford.
“He was drowning in debts, which led to weekends I wouldn’t hear from him,” she said. Windsor’s friend and former colleague, Kristina Rhianoff, told the hearing that the “psychological impact” of his axing from the dance show was “very severe”. Robin was “very disappointed” when he was dropped, said executive producer Louise Rainbow.
While ex-boyfriend, former X Factor contestant, Marcus Collins, who also testified, said in a witness statement: “The day he was informed he was no longer required.” Robin’s aunt said that he “lived for dancing.”
Meanwhile, his ex, Ollie Agustin, told the inquest that Robin said he would “kill himself”. He said that Windsor had been placed on suicide watch over the Christmas period in 2023, adding: “He’d say things like he would kill himself if he couldn’t be with me.” One of the notes insisted that this was not the reason Mr Windsor took his own life.
The inquest continues.
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
Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600), or the NHS has information about getting help.
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