For many fans of the hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, Robin Windsor was a beacon of energy and elegance on the dance floor. But behind the sequins and smiles, Windsor’s struggles were far deeper than most realized. This week, an inquest at West London Coroner’s Court concluded with a jury ruling that Windsor, who died in February 2024 at the age of 44, took his own life—a tragic end shaped by a web of personal and professional heartbreaks.
Windsor, a celebrated Latin and ballroom dancer, was found dead in a hotel room in Shepherd’s Bush, west London. The verdict, delivered after around two hours of jury deliberation, was clear: Windsor’s death was the culmination of “an accumulation of many attributes to depression,” as the jury forewoman stated, according to Sky News. Their findings painted a picture of a man vulnerable to rejection, emotionally and professionally, and weighed down by childhood trauma, loneliness, mounting debts, and a lack of consistent mental health care and support.
Windsor’s journey with Strictly Come Dancing began in 2010, partnering with a string of celebrities including Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden and actresses Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, and Lisa Riley. Across four seasons, he became a familiar face in British living rooms, dazzling audiences with his choreography and charm. But in 2014, a back injury sidelined him, and by 2015, he was dropped from the show’s professional dancers’ line-up—though he did return for that year’s Christmas special, dancing with TV presenter Alison Hammond.
According to the inquest, Windsor left behind a note that made the impact of his departure from Strictly heartbreakingly clear. “This all really started when I lost my job on Strictly and have been fighting it ever since,” he wrote. “The way they treated me destroyed me … it started me on the road I am still on.” The note, read in court, marked the beginning of a downward spiral that friends, family, and colleagues described in poignant detail.
Lisa Riley, Windsor’s dance partner during the 2012 series, provided a written statement that offered a window into his struggles. “It was from this moment, on to the time of his death, he kept slipping deeper and deeper into endless depression,” Riley said, as reported by The Mirror. “His glow had gone.” She recalled Windsor confiding in her about feeling “never good enough” and suffering from “imposter syndrome.” Riley also revealed that Windsor had been molested by a dance tutor during his youth, a trauma his parents never fully understood or addressed.
Financial worries compounded Windsor’s distress. Riley described how he was “drowning in debts,” spending frantically on designer items he could not afford. “Money problems also played a part of his darker days,” she said. “He was drowning in debts which led to weekends I wouldn’t hear from him.” Riley’s last contact with Windsor came around Christmas 2023, after she saw him post something “really dark” on Facebook. “I of course texted him straight away and he replied saying he was ‘fine, just usual ups and downs of life.’”
Windsor’s struggles with mental health were echoed by his ex-boyfriend, X Factor star Marcus Collins. Collins recounted the day Windsor was told he would not return to Strictly while they were on holiday in New York. “The day that he was informed that he was no longer required for Strictly really broke his spirit,” Collins said. “Robin’s mental health was challenged almost constantly from this point and at times it altered his personality.”
The inquest also heard from others who witnessed Windsor’s ongoing attachment to the show. Actor Terry Gleed, who worked with him during a 2023 production of Aladdin at the Marina Theatre in Lowestoft, described Windsor as “obsessed” with Strictly. “During the rehearsal period he had a lot of time on his hands. He was sitting on the sidelines watching footage of Strictly, the current series. He was looking at it on his phone continuously. He missed it dearly.” Choreographer Scott Coldwell likewise recalled Windsor’s longing to return to the BBC hit, saying he was “desperate” to go back.
Windsor’s professional persona was one of resilience and positivity, but as Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden noted, there were cracks beneath the surface. “He always did his best to present a bright and sunny face,” Meaden said in a statement to the court, “but I did see him tearful and distracted at times.”
Adding to the complexity of Windsor’s emotional landscape was a tumultuous personal life. The jury heard that he had been struggling with an on-off relationship with actor Ollie Augustin, which ended in August 2023. In a message to Augustin before his death, Windsor wrote: “I need you to understand, this is not your fault!”
Medical evidence presented at the inquest revealed that Windsor had consumed alcohol—his blood alcohol level was more than double the legal limit for driving—and ingested the drug GBL. These substances, combined with his emotional state, were part of the tragic circumstances surrounding his death.
Coroner Dr. Anton van Dellen, addressing Windsor’s family at the conclusion of the inquest, offered words of comfort. “I hope the family can take some comfort from the joy that Robin brought to so many people and the positive effect he had,” he said. “That is a wonderful legacy.” He encouraged the family to remember “the happy times he brought to the public and the deep affection the public held him in.”
The inquest also reflected a shift in language around suicide. Jurors were directed to record that Windsor had “completed suicide” rather than “committed” it, recognizing the importance of avoiding terms that imply criminality or moral failing.
In a statement released on Windsor’s X (formerly Twitter) account, his family expressed their grief and their hope for healing: “It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge that Robin took his own life. As a family, together with Robin’s close friends, we can now begin to move forward and attempt, over time, to rebuild our lives.”
Windsor’s story is a stark reminder of the pressures faced by those in the public eye—and the silent battles many fight behind closed doors. For those struggling with mental health, support is available: in the UK, the Samaritans can be reached at 116 123; in the US, call or text 988.
Robin Windsor’s legacy, as echoed by friends, family, and the coroner, is one of joy, inspiration, and artistry—a light that touched many, even as it was dimmed by private pain.