James Jordan Reflects on Robin Windsor's Tragic Death
Former Strictly Come Dancing star James Jordan has spoken out about the death of his close friend and fellow dancer Robin Windsor, describing the loss as "very raw" in an exclusive interview. Jordan revealed that Windsor kept his inner turmoil hidden from everyone, including those closest to him.
The Hidden Struggles of a Bubbly Personality
James Jordan, 47, who performed on the BBC show for eight series from 2006 to 2013, expressed deep sorrow over Windsor's passing. He noted that despite Windsor's always bubbly and happy demeanor, no one truly knew the extent of his struggles. "I spoke to him at an event not that long before, and he didn't give off that vibe," Jordan said. "You don't know what's going on behind closed doors."
A jury recently ruled that Windsor's death was a suicide, citing his vulnerability to rejection both emotionally and professionally. The 44-year-old dancer was found dead at the Hoxton Hotel in Shepherd's Bush, West London, on February 19, 2024, with a blood alcohol level over twice the drink-drive limit and evidence of drug use.
Inquest Findings and Personal Reflections
The inquest heard that Windsor left a note to a close friend, stating, "This all actually really started when I lost my place on Strictly, and I have been fighting it ever since." The jury concluded his death was due to "an accumulation of many attributes to depression."
Jordan, married to dancer Ola Jordan, 43, added, "It's horrendous that he got to that stage, that he was obviously feeling so much pain in his life that he ended up taking it." He also expressed sympathy for Strictly bosses, who faced the difficult decision to axe Windsor from the show. "It's a difficult one, isn't it? Because you don't want to go down the road where people can't say, for example, it needs a bit of a freshen up... because they fear that they're going to commit suicide," he remarked.
Tribute and Upcoming Tour
As James Jordan prepares to return to the dance floor with fellow Strictly stars Brendan Cole, Pasha Kovalev, Vincent Simone, and Ian Waite in the tour Vegas: After Hours, he shared that they paid tribute to Windsor. "We choreographed a number specifically for him, and we know he should've been up there with us," Jordan said. "It was quite a moving moment to be able to do that for him every night."
The 30-date tour kicks off on October 3 in Fareham, Hampshire, and will travel across the UK before concluding in Cardiff on November 8. During his time on Strictly, Robin Windsor danced with celebrities such as actresses Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, and Lisa Riley, as well as Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden.
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