Strictly Star's 'Glow Had Gone' After Show Exit, Inquest Hears
Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley has told an inquest that her former Strictly Come Dancing professional partner Robin Windsor's 'glow had gone' after he was dropped from the BBC show, with the dancer reportedly slipping into deep depression. The inquest into Windsor's death, held at West London Coroner's Court, heard detailed testimony from Riley and other associates about the performer's mental health struggles and financial woes following his departure from Strictly.
'Joined at the Hip' Partnership
Riley, who was paired with Windsor for the 2012 series of Strictly Come Dancing, described in a written witness statement how they were 'literally joined at the hip' from the moment they met. The actress revealed she had recently lost her mother that July and was in a difficult place emotionally, stating that 'Robin was my rock' during that challenging period.
'To say we hit it off was an understatement,' Riley's statement read. 'We built up an incredible trust and remained friends long after our time on the show. He literally told me everything. I trusted him and he trusted me.'
Strictly Career and Subsequent Struggles
Windsor, who was 44 when he was found dead in a Shepherd's Bush hotel room in February 2024, joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2010. Over four series until 2013, he danced with notable partners including actresses Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, and Lisa Riley, along with Dragon's Den's Deborah Meaden.
The Latin and ballroom dancer missed the 2014 series due to a back injury and was subsequently dropped from the main show in 2015, though he did appear in that year's Christmas special alongside TV presenter Alison Hammond. Riley told the inquest that from this point onward, Windsor kept 'slipping deeper and deeper into depression.'
Obsession with Strictly and Financial Troubles
Actor Terry Gleed, who performed alongside Windsor in a December 2023 production of Aladdin at Lowestoft's Marina Theatre, testified that he felt his co-star was 'obsessed' with Strictly Come Dancing. Gleed described how Windsor, who played the Genie, would spend his downtime during the pantomime watching footage of the current Strictly series on his phone.
'He was looking at his phone continuously, and I could feel he really wanted to be there... he missed it dearly,' Gleed told jurors.
Choreographer Scott Coldwell, who worked with Windsor on the dance show Here Come The Boys featuring ex-Strictly stars, confirmed that Windsor had told him several times he was 'desperate' to return to the BBC programme.
Riley's statement further revealed Windsor's significant financial difficulties, noting he was 'drowning in debts' and would spend 'frantically' on designer items he couldn't afford. 'Money problems also played a part of his darker days,' she said. 'He was drowning in debts which led to weekends I wouldn't hear from him.'
Personal Struggles and Final Contact
The actress detailed how Windsor had confided in her about 'never feeling good enough' and suffering from imposter syndrome. She revealed one particularly distressing confession where Windsor opened up about being molested by an old dance tutor and feeling his parents never truly understood this trauma.
Riley also noted Windsor was insecure about his body and had taken steroids, which combined with alcohol would put him in a bad place. She described how he was 'very influenced by other men' and it became 'a standing joke that he fell in love after three days.'
The inquest heard that Riley's last contact with Windsor was around Christmas 2023, when she texted him after seeing him share a 'really dark' post on Facebook. Windsor replied saying he was 'fine, just usual ups and downs of life.'
The proceedings continue as the coroner investigates the circumstances surrounding Windsor's death.
