Shortly before his death Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor opened up in a video for charity about how he shared his mental health journey with a friend.
The professional dancer was found dead in a London hotel room on Monday, aged 44, after his friends launched a three-day search for him, according to reports. His cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Tributes have continued to pour in for Windsor in the wake of his shock passing, which was announced on Tuesday by former Strictly co-stars including Susanna Reid, Alison Hammond and his ex-partner, X Factor star Marcus Collins.
In the wake of the BBC star’s death, mental health charity SANE, of which Windsor was an ambassador, paid tribute to his memory by releasing a video.
In it the dancer spoke to volunteers about his own experience, how dancing became a tool and therapy for him, and how he opened up to a friend.
In the video Windsor shared: “Once I spoke to someone who completely listened. They didn't really have to give me advice, they just had to listen and I could see that they wanted me to be better.
“It's picking the right person to speak to.”
SANE, who posted the video to X, wrote: “We were very distressed to learn of the death of Robin Windsor, one of SANE’s most vigorous and loyal ambassadors.
“He brought the elegance, energy and sheer joy of his dancing into mental health and gave hope to those, like him, who have struggled with dark times.”
We were very distressed to learn of the death of Robin Windsor, one of SANE’s most vigorous and loyal ambassadors. He brought the elegance, energy and sheer joy of his dancing into mental health and gave hope to those, like him, who have struggled with dark times. pic.twitter.com/Jt3RkAWIlv
— SANE | Changing mental health for good (@CharitySANE) February 21, 2024
The video comes after his close friend and former Strictly colleague, Vincent Simone, recalled to the Mirror how he frantically called friends in search of Windsor’s whereabouts when he went missing last week.
Another close friend, Kristina Rihanoff, shared how Windsor had spoken openly about his mental health in the years before his death.
Writing on social media, his former dance partner wrote: “There are no words to express the pain.
“Robin wasn't just my dance partner, he was a friend and together we shared endless experiences from our career highlights to hitting rock bottom of rejection.
“Many of you, who went to see his farewell tour, know perfectly well that he spoke very openly about his mental health struggles and thoughts of suicide.”
The much-loved professional Latin and Ballroom dancer appeared on the BBC series between 2010 and 2015 before he was forced to pull out of the show after he was paralyzed for four days due to a slipped disc.
During his tenure on the show, the professional dancer was paired with the likes of EastEnders legend Anita Dobson, Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden and actresses Patsy Kensit and Lisa Riley
Windsor also performed with Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid for 2011’s Children In Need special and This Morning star Alison Hammond on the 2015 Christmas special.
Windsor’s family thanked fans for the “outpouring of love and celebration” for the professional dancer.
A statement also asked for “constant” speculation over his death to stop.
It said: “We would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and celebration of our beloved Robin.
“While we understand that there is a huge public and media interest around his passing, we as a family need time to process our shock and grief.
“We ask for the needs of our family and friends to be taken into consideration and for our privacy to be respected at this difficult time.
“We would ask that the constant media speculation stop.
“As we have further information we will share a statement in due course.”
For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
