Strictly Come Dancing Star Robin Windsor's Death Ruled Suicide by Jury
Professional dancer Robin Windsor, a former star of Strictly Come Dancing, took his own life, a jury has concluded. The 44-year-old was found deceased in a hotel room in Shepherd's Bush, west London, in February 2024. After deliberating for approximately two hours, jurors at West London Coroner's Court delivered their findings on Thursday, 12 February 2026.
Jury Cites Multiple Contributing Factors to Mental Health Deterioration
The forewoman of the jury stated that Windsor's death resulted from an accumulation of many attributes to depression. She elaborated, noting that Robin Jamie Windsor suffered from childhood trauma and was vulnerable to rejection both emotionally and professionally. The jury agreed that loneliness, lack of emotional maturity, pressure from mounting debts, insufficient consistent mental health care and support, and recurring heartache were all contributing factors to his mental health decline, which ultimately led him to take his own life.
Jurors were directed to record the cause as completed suicide rather than committed suicide, as the latter term could imply a criminal act and is deemed inappropriate in an inquest setting.
Note Reveals Impact of Strictly Come Dancing Departure
Coroner Dr Anton van Dellen informed the court that police discovered a note in Windsor's hotel room. In it, Windsor wrote, This all really started when I lost my job on Strictly and have been fighting it ever since. The note continued, The way they treated me destroyed me ... it started me on the road I am still on.
Windsor joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and danced with celebrities including actresses Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, and Lisa Riley, as well as Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden across four series until 2013. A back injury prevented his participation in the 2014 series, and he was dropped from the professional lineup in 2015, though he appeared in that year's Christmas special alongside TV presenter Alison Hammond.
Statements from Friends and Colleagues Highlight Struggles
A written statement from Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley, Windsor's dance partner in 2012, described how his glow had gone after his removal from the show. She said, It was from this moment, on to the time of his death, he kept slipping deeper and deeper into endless depression. Riley revealed Windsor confided in her about feelings of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, and an incident of molestation by a dance tutor. She noted his insecurities about his body, use of steroids combined with alcohol, and severe financial troubles, stating he was drowning in debts and spent frantically on designer items he could not afford.
X Factor star and Windsor's ex-boyfriend, Marcus Collins, provided a statement read in court, describing how Windsor's mental health deteriorated after his contract with Strictly ended. Collins said, The day that he was informed that he was no longer required for Strictly really broke his spirit, recalling a holiday in New York where Windsor was inconsolable.
Other testimonies included actor Terry Gleed, who worked with Windsor in a December 2023 production of Aladdin, noting Windsor was obsessed with Strictly and missed it dearly. Choreographer Scott Coldwell, who collaborated with Windsor on the show Here Come The Boys, said Windsor expressed being desperate to return to the BBC programme.
BBC Response and Coroner's Remarks
Following the jury's determination, a BBC spokesperson expressed sympathy, stating, 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. The spokesperson acknowledged the complex factors contributing to Windsor's state of mind at the time of his death.
Coroner Dr van Dellen addressed Windsor's family, saying, I hope the family can take some comfort from the joy that Robin brought to so many people and the positive effect he had. That is a wonderful legacy. He added, I hope you can think of the happy times he brought to the public and the deep affection the public held him in.
The inquest also heard that Windsor had been struggling with an on-off relationship that ended in August 2023 with actor Ollie Augustin, whom he met during a stage show tribute to Moulin Rouge.
