ROBIN Windsor has bravely spoken about his depression and revealed he was unable to watch Strictly after leaving the show.
The former Strictly professional has died at the age of 44 after a glittering career, his agency announced today.
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Robin was an ambassador for mental health charity SaneCredit: sane.org
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Susanna Reid with Robin at a special Strictly Come Dancing for Children in NeedCredit: PA
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Robin also performed with Deborah Meaden on the show Credits: Rex
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Last photo shared by Robin on his Instagram Credit: Instagram
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Last photo shared online Robin on Cruiser Credit: Instagram
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Robin performing on a cruise ship last month Credit: Instagram
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On January 28, Robin shared a selfie from Cape Town on his Instagram while sailing in Africa while working as a contractor on a cruise shipCredit: instagram
Robin finished as runner-up on the show in 2012 with actress Lisa Riley and became one of the show’s most recognizable faces.
He first appeared in the 2010 season with Patsy Kensit, before partnering Anita Dobson and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden two years later in 2013.
Robin also partnered Susanna Reid and Alison Hammond in one-off specials.
His death was confirmed by Sisco Entertainment, which said Robin’s friendship “was a gift that was cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
It is not known how he died.
Robin left the show in 2014, claiming he was axed by bosses after “terrible back surgery”.
He revealed how difficult it was for him to watch the show following his departure, telling MailOnline: “Leaving Strictly wasn’t my choice. I had a terrible back operation and they decided they didn’t want to call me back next year.”
“It was probably for health and safety reasons, in case something happened, but I was physically fit. One of my best friends, Trent Whiddon, who replaced me for the dance with Pixie Lott, I wanted to watch and support him, but that it broke my heart.
“I was with Marcus Collins from The X Factor, who was my partner at the time, and I said to him, ‘I’m really struggling to watch the show’.
“He told me the best thing was to really get behind and support everyone. He said it was hard for him to see the success of Little Mix, who beat him on the X Factor.”
Strictly’s Brendan Cole fights back tears on GMB as he pays emotional tribute to Robin Windsor following his tragic death aged 44
An ambassador for mental health charity Sane, he also said he had struggled with depression since he was 19.
Speaking to the charity, he said: “When I was 19 I didn’t really realize I was suffering from depression at the time.
“And like I said, I’ve been nurturing my life as drug-free as possible.
“Dance is what really makes me happy and without it in my life I felt lost.
“Luckily, I got the chance to get back into it and I’ve had an amazing job traveling the world.”
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Robin described losing his role in the series as “probably the worst thing that could have ever happened”.
He added: “Not realizing what was happening, I realized I was sad.
“And I know we all have our dark days, but my dark days turned into dark weeks and I didn’t want to get out of bed.
– I didn’t quite understand why I felt that way or how to get out of that state.
His last Instagram post was posted on January 28, a dimly lit selfie with the caption: “Hiding in the shadows.”
Robin had been working on luxury cruise ships for weeks before his death.
He flew out to join an Indian Ocean cruise, before taking the ship around Africa.
In one photo, Robin is pictured next to a fellow dancer in a bikini by the pool “somewhere in the sea”.
He is believed to have visited Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa while on the cruise.
At the end of January, he posted a video of himself dancing on a cruise with his partner with the message “The show must go on”.
It comes after Robin revealed he doesn’t want to talk to anyone about his struggles.
Inside Strictly star’s harrowing health battle
ROBIN Windsor was forced to quit Strictly or “risk ending up in a wheelchair”, it has emerged.
The 44-year-old BBC star had previously spoken about her exit from the show, before her tragic death.
Robin quit Strictly in 2014, claiming he was sacked by bosses after “terrible back surgery”.
Speaking at the time, he said: “Leaving Strictly was not my choice.
“I had terrible back surgery and they decided they didn’t want to ask me back next year.
– It was probably for health and safety reasons, if something happened, but I was physically ready.
Speaking about when the horrific injury happened, Robin explained that he had “a herniated disc [his] back,” adding that “the nerve was exposed, causing excruciating pains that shot downward [his] foot”.
He said: “I was paralyzed on the floor of a friend’s house because the pain was so bad. I was there for three or four days.
»I couldn’t risk going forward. It was a heartbreaking decision, but I had no choice.
“If my disc had popped out while I was dancing, I could have ended up with permanent nerve damage and been in a wheelchair.”
He added: “As a man at the time, being depressed was still a taboo subject and I didn’t really want anyone to know how I felt.
“I was always seen as a happy person, always with a big smile on my face. Now I realize that those with the biggest smile can sometimes hide the biggest pain.”
Speaking on Dr Max Pemberton’s Mind Clinic podcast for the Daily Mail, Robin also described how he went from “the highest point of my life to the lowest” quite quickly.
He detailed how a £100,000 bill to HMRC and a break-up along with back surgery and losing a role in the series had taken a toll on his health.
Robin said it would be hard to “get out of bed” but carried on “with a smile on his face”.
But one night he received a phone call and asked for help.
After leaving the show, Robin began giving motivational talks and running team building courses where he bravely documented his battle with mental health.
It comes as tributes pour in for the former Strictly pro.
Susanna Reid fought back tears when she learned of Robin’s death live on Good Morning Britain.
She said: “He was an absolutely amazing dancer, strong, so creative, he was so passionate about dancing. I just adored him.
“He was the most amazing person. As soon as I danced with him, it was something really special.”
Strictly co-star James Jordan said: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with this man for many years on Strictly.
“Everyone who came into contact with him adored him, from his celebrity partners to work colleagues. You will be missed old friend.”
A statement from dance show Burn The Floor, in which Windsor appeared for many years, said: “The Burn The Floor family has lost one of its founding members, Robin “Bobby” Windsor, who has tragically passed away.
“BTF journeyman, danced with us for 20 years including Broadway, West End and all our crazy adventures around the world.”
The company shared a photo of him on stage with fellow dancer Jessica Raffa, adding: “His stunning image with Jessica Raffa defined our company, colourful, extreme and sensual.
“His talent, attitude, energy and personality helped build the reputation of the Burn The Floor stage.
“He leaves a void in our hearts that will never be filled, but our wonderful memories will remain forever.”
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Robin and Lisa Riley dance during dress rehearsals for StrictlyCredit: The Delivery
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Dancers received tributes Credit: Instagram
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The MS Bolette cruise ship, where Robin performed in January Credit: Getty
- If you or anyone you know needs help with a mental health problem, you can contact Samaritans for Support: www.samaritans.org, 116 123
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