Tomorrow marks two years since the tragic death of Robin Windsor, the beloved former professional dancer from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. At just 44 years old, Windsor was found dead in a Shepherd’s Bush hotel room in February 2024, his passing later ruled a suicide. As friends, colleagues, and fans prepare to remember the man who brought so much joy to Saturday night television, new details from a recent inquest and heartfelt interviews with his former fiancé, Davide Cini, cast a poignant light on his struggles and legacy.
Windsor’s journey on Strictly began in 2010, where he quickly became a fan favorite for his infectious energy and warmth both on and off the dance floor. Over four series, he partnered with stars like Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley, and Deborah Meaden, dazzling audiences with his Latin and ballroom prowess. But behind the glitz and glamour, Windsor’s path was not without hardship. In 2014, a serious back injury forced him to step away from the main show, and by 2015, he was dropped from the regular lineup, though he made a brief return for the Christmas special that year.
The recent inquest, which concluded on February 12, 2026, provided sobering insight into the factors that led to Windsor’s untimely death. According to The Mirror, the jury determined that Windsor was “vulnerable to rejection both emotionally and professionally,” and that this vulnerability was among several contributing factors to his decline. The forewoman of the jury listed “an accumulation of many attributes to depression,” including “childhood trauma, loneliness, the lack of emotional maturity, the pressure of mounting debts, the lack of consistent mental health care and support and recurring heartache.”
Police discovered Windsor’s body after he failed to check out of his hotel room, finding two suicide notes left behind. In one, Windsor wrote to a close friend, “This all actually really started when I lost my place on Strictly and I have been fighting it ever since. The way they treated me destroyed me. It started me on the road I’m still on. All I wanted from life was to be happy. I loved my job more than anyone else.” In another note to his ex-partner, actor Ollie Augstin, Windsor was careful to add, “I need you to understand, this is not your fault!”
For those closest to Windsor, the pain of his absence lingers. Davide Cini, Windsor’s former fiancé, appeared on ITV’s This Morning on February 18, 2026, to reflect on their relationship and the aftermath of Windsor’s passing. “It was a long journey to get here. We kind of knew what happened, our families and close friends. Obviously, the inquest had to happen, that took two years. It’s emotional, but it’s a time to look ahead and remember Robin,” Cini told hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary, according to The Mirror.
Cini described the unique bond he and Windsor shared, even after calling off their engagement. “We stayed friends. We have a dog together, Lukaz, he’s 15. He still barks when the door rings because he thinks it is Robin which breaks my heart every time,” he said. “He lived with me after this for about six or seven years, also during the lockdown.” The enduring loyalty of their dog, still waiting for Windsor’s return, serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the dancer’s absence.
Cini also recalled happier times, including their engagement trip to New York, orchestrated by Windsor’s close friend and Emmerdale star Lisa Riley. “She was there! There’s a funny anecdote from this. She flew us to New York after Strictly, we stayed in a wonderful hotel, and one day, they’d arranged a helicopter trip. Lisa was like ‘You’re coming on the helicopter!’ Because of the metal detector she had to hide those rings,” Cini recounted, sharing a rare moment of levity amid the grief.
Yet, the attention their relationship received in the press was overwhelming. “The story became so big, it was in the newspaper as soon as we came off the helicopter. Publications were planning to feature our wedding. This was 2012 when gay marriage was made legal and I felt it was too much. I was happy to be behind the scenes,” Cini admitted, highlighting the pressures faced by LGBTQ+ public figures navigating both fame and personal milestones.
Windsor’s struggles with mental health became pronounced only after his departure from Strictly. “Until after he was no longer on the show, I had never seen Robin struggling with depression. I’d struggled in the past and he knew about it but he couldn’t understand until later on in life when he started having these struggles himself. Robin was also a gay man in his forties and many of us struggle in our community,” Cini explained. The inquest jury’s findings echoed this, pointing to the lack of consistent mental health support and the unique vulnerabilities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the public eye.
Despite his personal battles, Windsor was known for his kindness and generosity. “Robin was wonderful. He was. What you saw on TV was what he was in real life. He was so caring, so loving. If anyone was struggling, he would be the first to show up. I did a cruise, I really wasn’t feeling well, and a bunch of flowers appeared just to cheer me up,” Cini recalled, painting a portrait of a man who lifted others even as he struggled himself.
In the wake of Windsor’s death, Cini has dedicated himself to continuing his former partner’s legacy of support and care. He spoke about “You Are Loved,” a non-profit organization founded by his friend Mark Spencer, which aims to provide mental health and bereavement support to the LGBTQ+ community. One of its services, “Ask Bobby,” is a directory for community support and services, named in honor of Windsor’s nickname. “We support the LGBT community struggling with mental health and drug misuse. We offer different free services, we have bereavement support for those who lost a loved one. There’s also Ask Bobby, a directory for community support and services that are available within the area. It’s named because people close to Robin used to call him Bobby. We want a place where anyone struggling can go on this page. They tell you what services are available,” Cini said on This Morning.
The BBC, in a statement following the inquest, expressed its condolences: “Our sympathies are with Robin’s family, friends, and all who knew him. The whole of the Strictly Come Dancing family remain deeply saddened by his passing. Robin was a much‑loved member of the team - both on and off air - during his time on the show. As the inquest has heard this week and the jury concluded, several complex factors contributed to how Robin felt at the time of his tragic death and our thoughts remain with all who knew and loved Robin.”
As the anniversary of Windsor’s passing approaches, his story is a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health support, especially for those navigating fame, injury, and the pressures of public life. For many, Robin Windsor will be remembered not just for his dazzling dance routines, but for the love, joy, and compassion he brought to everyone around him.