Strictly Star's 'Glow Had Gone' After Show Exit, Inquest Told
Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley has told an inquest that her former Strictly Come Dancing professional partner Robin Windsor lost his characteristic sparkle after being dropped from the BBC show. The emotional testimony was heard at West London Coroner's Court, where details of the dancer's struggles were revealed.
Deep Friendship Forged on the Dance Floor
Riley and Windsor became close friends after being paired together for the 2012 series of Strictly Come Dancing. In a written witness statement read to the court, Riley described their immediate connection as being "joined at the hip." She emphasized that saying they hit it off would be an understatement, particularly as she had recently lost her mother and was in a difficult emotional place herself at the time.
"Robin was my rock," Riley stated in her testimony, highlighting the supportive role the professional dancer played during their partnership and beyond.
Career Setback and Emotional Decline
Windsor, who joined Strictly in 2010 and danced with celebrities including Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Deborah Meaden, and Lisa Riley across four series, was unable to perform in 2014 due to a back injury. He 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 began slipping "deeper and deeper into depression." She poignantly observed that "his glow had gone," describing the visible change in her friend's demeanor and spirit following his departure from the popular television program.
Obsession with Strictly and Career Longing
Other witnesses corroborated Windsor's continued attachment to the show that had made him famous. Actor Terry Gleed, who performed alongside Windsor in a production of Aladdin at Lowestoft's Marina Theatre in December 2023, testified that he felt his co-star was "obsessed" with Strictly Come Dancing.
Gleed described how Windsor would spend downtime during the pantomime watching footage of the current Strictly series on his phone, continuously checking the device as if he "really wanted to be there" and "missed it dearly."
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 that he was "desperate" to return to the BBC program.
Personal Struggles and Financial Pressures
Riley's testimony revealed deeper personal challenges Windsor faced beyond his career disappointments. She recounted how he had opened up about:
- Experiencing "imposter syndrome" and "never feeling good enough"
- Being molested by an old dance tutor as a child
- Feeling that his parents never fully understood this trauma
- Being "very influenced by other men" in relationships
- Insecurity about his body image
The actress also described how Windsor's use of steroids combined with alcohol would put him in "a bad place," and how he was "drowning in debts" while spending "frantically" on designer items he couldn't afford. "Money problems also played a part of his darker days," Riley stated, noting there were weekends when she wouldn't hear from him due to these financial pressures.
Final Communications and Hopeful Project
Riley's last contact with Windsor occurred around Christmas 2023 when she texted him after seeing a "really dark" post he had shared on Facebook. He replied saying he was "fine, just usual ups and downs of life."
At the time of his death, Windsor had been preparing for the Legends of The Dance Floor tour alongside fellow dancers Brendan Cole, James Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, and Ian Waite, scheduled for late 2024. Coldwell became emotional as he recalled discussing this project with Windsor just days before his death, describing it as something that would have "regenerated the careers" of the dancers involved.
"My last call with Windsor was very positive," Coldwell told the court, emphasizing how the show was set to reboot Windsor's career.
Tragic End and Ongoing Inquest
Robin Windsor was 44 years old when he was found dead in a hotel room in Shepherd's Bush, west London, in February 2024. Jurors have heard that he died after consuming alcohol and the drug gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). The inquest into his death continues as more testimony is expected regarding the circumstances surrounding the popular dancer's tragic passing.
