Strictly stars celebrate life of Robin Windsor and say he was a ‘human glitterball’
ROBIN Windsor was called "a human Glitterball" by Anton Du Beke, who was among the famous friends and VIPs to celebrate the late Strictly professional's life following his tragic death.
Co-host Du Beke embraced Gorka Márquez at the emotional event held at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
The glittering event, Robin Windsor: The Final Act, was hosted by Robin's former 2012 dance partner and Emmerdale actor Lisa Riley.
She told the audience that she hoped the dancer would "shine down on us all and keep shining in heaven".
Co-hosted by Anton Du Beke, the judge introduced the show and compared Windsor to the Strictly trophy calling him "a human Glitterball".
The Ipswich dancer died in February aged 44 after being sent on ‘a downwards spiral’.
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The dance pro had previously told how he battled with depression and the aftermath of being sacked from the BBC show a decade ago following an injury.
All profits from the night's silent auction went to mental health charity SANE, which Windsor was an ambassador for between 2010 and 2013.
The night saw performances from Strictly professional dancers Lauren Oakley, Aljaz Skorjanec with his wife Janette Manrara, and singing from Beverley Knight.
The show, organised by dancers Pasha Kovalev and Anya Garnis, concluded with a tear-jerking video montage of the dancer's life.
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Riley said afterwards: “The important message is to keep talking and look out for your friends.”
Du Beke added: “Fellas don’t talk and tend to keep it to themselves. Get it out lads, speak to SANE.”
Other celebrities who attended included Linda Robson, Dr Ranj Singh, and Strictly stars Gorka Márquez, Joanne Clifton and Vincent Simone.
Singer Pixie Lott wowed in a floor-length red gown with a thigh-high split, while dazzled in a red jumpsuit.
In an interview before his death, he said: “I was always seen as a happy person, always with a big smile on my face.
“Now I realise that those with the biggest smiles sometimes can hide the biggest pain.”
In his final Instagram post, he shared a haunting picture of himself with the message “hiding in the shadows”.
The sad statement at the time of his death confirmed: "The Burn the Floor family has lost one of its founding members, Robin “Bobby” Windsor - who has tragically passed away.
