The final days of Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor were marked by a deepening struggle with depression following his departure from the show, an inquest has revealed. Actress Lisa Riley, his partner during the 2012 series, testified that Windsor’s “glow had gone” after being dropped from the program in 2015.
Windsor, 44, was found dead in a hotel room in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, in . The inquest, currently underway, is examining the circumstances surrounding his death. Riley’s statement, read to West London Coroner’s Court on , paints a picture of a man increasingly consumed by insecurity and despair after his time on the popular BBC dance competition came to an end.
Riley and Windsor formed a particularly close bond during their time on Strictly. “To say we hit it off was an understatement,” Riley stated. “We were literally joined at the hip.” She described a period of mutual support, noting that she herself was grieving the recent loss of her mother when they were paired together. “Robin was my rock,” she said.
Windsor’s journey with Strictly began in , and he participated in four series until , partnering with dancers including Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, and Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden. A back injury sidelined him for the series, but he briefly returned for the Christmas special that year. However, it was his removal from the main lineup in that Riley believes triggered a significant decline in his mental health.
“It was from this moment, on to the time of his death, he kept slipping deeper and deeper into depression,” Riley told the court. “His glow was gone.” She detailed how Windsor confided in her about persistent feelings of inadequacy and “imposter syndrome,” alongside insecurities about his physical appearance. Riley also revealed that Windsor had struggled with steroid use, which, when combined with alcohol, exacerbated his emotional state.
The inquest also heard testimony regarding Windsor’s financial difficulties and periods of withdrawal from friends and colleagues. Riley recounted that her last contact with him was around Christmas , after she came across a “really dark” post on his Facebook page. This suggests a growing sense of isolation and despair in the months leading up to his death.
The details emerging from the inquest underscore the often-hidden pressures faced by performers in the entertainment industry. While Strictly Come Dancing provides a platform for showcasing talent and creating memorable moments, the experience can also be fraught with anxiety and uncertainty, particularly when careers are impacted by injury or professional decisions. Windsor’s case highlights the importance of ongoing mental health support for individuals working in high-profile, competitive environments.
Marcus Collins, a singer and former X Factor contestant who also dated Windsor, provided a written statement to the court, noting that Windsor “deteriorated” in . This corroborates Riley’s account of a gradual decline following his initial setback with the back injury and subsequent removal from the show.
The jury has retired to consider their conclusion, and deliberations are expected to continue on . The outcome of the inquest is likely to shed further light on the factors contributing to Windsor’s tragic death and potentially prompt a broader conversation about the mental health resources available to those working in the entertainment industry.
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