LAST WORDS
Robin Windsor’s heartbreaking final post from weeks before Strictly star’s tragic death is revealed
The pro dancer also messaged one of his Strictly dance partners on social media in the weeks before his death
STRICTLY star Robin Windsor's heartbreaking final social media post weeks before his death has been revealed.
The dancer, who finished runner-up on the show in 2012, sadly passed away aged 44, it was announced this morning.
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No cause of death has yet been announced.
His last upload on Instagram - a dimly lit selfie, shared on January 28 - was captioned: "Hiding in the shadows."
The following day, the Strictly star replied three love hearts to a tweet from Deborah Meaden on X/Twitter.
She penned: "11 years after we did @bbcstrictly together this happens and it is just lovely!! The wonderful @Robinwindsor and my Mum ( yep...87 years and amazing!!) meeting up in South Africa...don't you just love it."
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Robin and the Dragons' Den star reached week five on the show in 2013.
The dancer previously opened up about how he found love with X-Factor star Marcus Collins after taking advice from Deborah Meaden.
Robin and Marcus began chatting on Twitter, which led to a three-year relationship.
Marcus had spotted a picture on the social media app of Robin on the cover of Gay Times, and decided to tweet him.
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At the time, Robin explained: “Marcus Tweeted me to say ‘You’re looking really good, well done’!
“We’d first met at ITV studios a few years ago, when I passed Marcus in the corridor and asked for a photo because he was very handsome.
"From then on there was no contact whatsoever til I appeared on the GT cover.
“After my last relationship ended I was on the rebound and on the warpath thinking, I must find a boyfriend.
"Deborah Meaden told me to get myself together, concentrate on work, forget about men, and enjoy life. As soon as I did that, Marcus came along.”
Devastated Susanna Reid fights back tears as she learns Strictly partner Robin Windsor has died live on GMB
Marcus has since paid tribute to his ex-partner in a heartfelt message.
"The World just got a lot less sparkly. Robin You were so loved," he wrote on Instagram underneath a picture of the pair.
Meanwhile, the final public photo shared of the star showed him smiling on a cruise just weeks before his death.
He was pictured for the final time in good spirits on a cruise in South Africa with friends.
In a post uploaded on February 4, by @MickyZanyComic, the image was captioned: "Another great cruise on the beautiful Bolette @fred.olsencruiselines with an amazing group of entertainers.
"Thank you to @andy.god3 and @abbie.edwards9 and all the team on board for a brilliant three weeks in South Africa."
TRIBUTES POUR IN
Tributes have poured in for Robin following the tragic announcement of his death.
Devastated Susanna Reid fought back tears as she learnt her Strictly partner had passed away, while live on GMB.
He had performed with newsreader in a special episode for Children In Need in 2011.
It comes as...
- Co-star James Jordan leads tributes for dancing pro James Jordan
- The Strictly star posted on social media just days before he passed
- Inside Robin’s relationship with ex-boyfriend & X-Factor star Marcus Collins
- He was forced to quit Strictly 'or risk ending up in wheelchair'
- Susanna Reid fought back tears on today's Good Morning Britain after learning of the death
- Photos show Robin smiling on cruise just weeks before his passing
She said this morning: "Robin was larger than life and I fell in love with him and fell in love with dancing when I danced with him back then.
"He was an absolutely remarkable dancer, incredibly strong, so creative, he was just so enthusiastic about dancing. I just adored him.
"He was the most incredible personality. As soon as I danced with him there was something very special about him."
After the break, she continued: "I have wonderful memories of you, Robin. He was very sensual, wonderfully exuberant. Full of strength and creativity.
"He made me fall in love with dancing. He was a fabulous, phenomenal personality."
A heartbroken Craig Revel Horwood has paid tribute to his fellow Strictly star and "dear friend" Robin Windsor.
"I have just heard the tragic news my dear friend ’Bobby’ Robin Windsor has passed," he wrote on X.
"He was one of the kindest, gentle, honest, funny and caring people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with.
"He will be forever missed. My heart goes out to all his family & friends. RIP darling man, you were truly loved x."
Dan Walker has paid tribute on X, he wrote: "How sad to hear about the death of Robin Windsor. Just 44 years old!
"He sent me the kindest message when I was on Strictly and he was loved by so many on that show."
'LIT UP THE ROOM'
A statement from Robin's agent read: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of our beautiful Robin.
"Robins dancing started from a very young age and never stopped. He lit up any room he walked into, he was a nurturing soul always full of fun.
"He brought so much happiness to anyone who saw him dance.
"Strictly Cone Dancing, Burn the floor and many other dance shows along with all the school children around the country who he gave his time.
"Robin was a strong advocate for mental health and worked closely with the ‘Sane Charity’
"The dance world has lost some of its sparkle today.
"We ask for the family’s privacy at this very difficult time."
Meanwhile, Strictly co-star James Jordan said: "I had the pleasure of working with this man for many years on Strictly.
"Everyone who came in contact with him adored him, from his celebrity partners to his working colleagues. You will be missed old friend."
'VOID IN OUR HEARTS'
Burn The Floor, an international Ballroom and Latin dance company co-founded by Robin, added: "A BTF journeyman he danced with us for twenty years - including Broadway, The West End and all our crazy adventures around the world.
"His stunning image attached with Jessica Raffa defined our company, colourful, extreme and sensual.
"His talent, attitude, energy and personality helped create the Burn the Floor stage reputation.
"He leaves a void in our hearts that will never be filled, yet our wonderful memories will stay forever."
Lisa Jane Riley, who was partnered up with Robin in 2012, took to Instagram to share an emotional message and wrote: "My Bestie, My Robin, My Angel…….now our forever Angel, who is loved, will always be loved, forever in my heart……my very broken heart, I love you, shine your beautiful, electric energy from heaven. SHINE IN PEACE."
Robin first appeared on the BBC series with Patsy Kensit in 2010, reaching week nine of the competition, before being eliminated at the same stage with Eastenders legend Anita Dobson two years later.
Away from Strictly, Robin also performed in the West End and on Broadway.
He was enrolled at a local dance school in Ipswich aged three, going on to study Ballroom and Latin dance before representing England at international level.
Robin's big break came in 2001 when he was cast in the popular show Burn The Floor which toured around the world.
STRICTLY HEARTBREAK
The dancer described losing his job on Strictly as "the worst thing that could have ever happened", as his health battle was revealed.
He opened up about his forced exit due to needing an operation on his back.
Speaking at the time, he said: "Leaving Strictly wasn’t my choice. I had a horrible back operation and they decided that they didn’t want to ask me back the next year.
"It was probably for health and safety reasons, in case something happened, but I was physically fit."
Robin also worked closely with the Sane Charity, a helpline which supports those struggling with their mental health.
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He told the charity previously: "After four amazing years on the show, I suffered a bit of an accident on my back having to have surgery and I ended up losing my job on Strictly.
"That was probably the worst thing that could have ever happened to me because it took away what I loved the most. I loved being on Strictly more than anybody who was there."
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