BBC issues statement following inquest into Strictly star Robin Windsor’s death: ‘Deeply saddened’
An inquest jury has determined that former Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor ended his own life following a prolonged battle with depression worsened by multiple factors.
The verdict was delivered on Thursday at West London Coroner’s Court, where Assistant Coroner Dr Anton van Dellen oversaw proceedings.
Mr Windsor, who was 44 years old, was discovered deceased in a hotel room in Shepherd’s Bush in February 2024.
A receptionist found his body after he failed to leave his room at the expected checkout time.
Strictly Come Dancing pro Robin Windsor died in 2024 | GETTY
The jury reached their conclusion after roughly two hours of deliberation, identifying an accumulation of circumstances that contributed to the dancer’s deteriorating mental state.
An earlier post-mortem examination had indicated he most likely died from consuming alcohol and a drug.
According to the jury’s findings, Mr Windsor experienced childhood trauma and was particularly susceptible to rejection on both personal and professional levels.
The jury foreperson stated: “We also agree that loneliness, the lack of emotional maturity, the pressure of mounting debts, the lack of consistent mental health care and support and recurring heartache are all contributing factors of Robin Jamie Windsor’s mental health deterioration which in turn led him to take his own life.”
Kennedy and Windsor danced together on the People’s Strictly for Comic Relief in 2015 | BBC / Strictly Come DancingFellow professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff gave emotional testimony during the hearing, describing how Mr Windsor “changed significantly” following his back injury.
She characterised the BBC dance competition as a “very lonely space with not much support.”
Former dance partner Lisa Riley told the inquest that Mr Windsor had slipped “deeper and deeper into endless depression” after departing from the television programme.
The inquest heard that the dancer left behind two letters near his body. In one note addressed to a friend, he wrote: “This all really started when I lost my job on Strictly and have been fighting it ever since. The way they treated me destroyed me…It started me on the road I’m still on.”
Robin Windsor was partnered with celebrities including Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley on the dancing show | PAHe added: “I loved my job more than anyone else.”
Mr Windsor described how everything had become overwhelming, writing: “The heartache, the loneliness, the constant sadness. I just live permanently in a dark place. I just can’t live like this anymore.”
A second note was directed to his former partner, actor Ollie Augustin, in which Mr Windsor emphasised that his decision was not Mr Augustin’s fault.
Mr Windsor joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, where he partnered with a string of well-known celebrities over four series.
His dance partners included actresses Patsy Kensit and Anita Dobson, as well as Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden and Lisa Riley.
A back injury requiring disc removal surgery prevented him from appearing in the 2014 series.
The show’s producers subsequently did not invite him to return, though he made a final appearance in the 2015 Christmas special alongside television presenter Alison Hammond.
Windsor starred in Strictly Come Dancing from 2010 to 2014 | Getty
Singer Marcus Collins, Mr Windsor’s former boyfriend and X Factor contestant, testified that the dancer “deteriorated” after learning he was no longer needed for Strictly in 2014, which “really broke his spirit.”
Following his departure, Mr Windsor continued performing with his Burn The Floor dance company in the West End and internationally.
Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
