The family of former Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor have expressed their “profound sadness” after an inquest jury concluded that he took his own life. The 44-year-old dancer was found dead in a hotel room in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, in February 2024.
At the conclusion of the inquest on Thursday, jurors found that Windsor was “vulnerable to rejection both emotionally and professionally”, which was among the “contributing factors” leading to his death. A statement posted on Windsor’s X account said: “It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge that Robin took his own life. As a family, together with Robin’s close friends, we can now begin to move forward and attempt, over time, to rebuild our lives.”
Windsor joined the BBC show in 2010 and danced with celebrities including Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden across four series until 2013. He missed the 2014 series due to a back injury and was dropped from the professional lineup in 2015, though he appeared in that year’s Christmas special with Alison Hammond.
A written statement from actress Lisa Riley, read to the inquest, said Windsor’s “glow had gone” after being cut from the lineup, adding: “It was from this moment, on to the time of his death, he kept slipping deeper and deeper into endless depression.” The coroner, Dr Anton van Dellen, addressed the family, saying: “I hope you can think of the happy times he brought to the public and the deep affection the public held him in.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “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. Robin was a much-loved member of the team – both on and off air – during his time on the show.” Windsor, originally from Ipswich, had been an ambassador for mental health charity Sane.
