ROBIN Windsor opened up to his ex-boyfriend Marcus Collins as he struggled to watch Strictly after being axed, it emerged.
It was confirmed yesterday the much-loved professional dancer, 44, sadly passed away.
Tributes poured in after the tragic news was shared by Robin’s agent.
A statement read: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of our beautiful Robin.
“Robin’s dancing started from a very young age and never stopped.
“He lit up any room he walked into, he was a nurturing soul always full of fun.
“He brought so much happiness to anyone who saw him dance.
“Strictly Come Dancing, Burn The Floor and many other dance shows along with all the school children around the country who he gave his time.
“Robin was a strong advocate for mental health and worked closely with the Sane charity.
“The dance world has lost some of its sparkle today.
“We ask for the family’s privacy at this very difficult time.”
Strictly also paid tribute to the former pro dancer, calling him “caring, considerate and kind.”
A statement on the dance competition’s instagram page read: “The whole Strictly are deeply saddened to hear the news about our dear friend Robin Windsor.
“He was not only an exceptionally talented dancer and choreographer but also a caring, considerate and kind person both on and off the dancefloor.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”
Ex-boyfriend Marcus Collins, who starred on the X Factor, also paid a heartfelt tribute to his former partner.
“The World just got a lot less sparkly. Robin You were so loved,” he wrote on Instagram underneath a picture of the pair.
The couple actually met through X/Twitter and Robin previously revealed how former Strictly dance partner and Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden had encouraged the relationship.
Marcus had spotted a snap of Robin on the cover of Gay Times, posted on on the social media app, and decided to tweet him.
I was with Marcus Collins from the X Factor, who was my partner at the time, and said to him, ‘I’m really struggling to watch the show’.”
Robin Windsor
At the time, Robin explained: “Marcus Tweeted me to say ‘You’re looking really good, well done’!
“We’d first met at ITV studios a few years ago, when I passed Marcus in the corridor and asked for a photo because he was very handsome.
“From then on there was no contact whatsoever til I appeared on the GT cover.
“After my last relationship ended I was on the rebound and on the warpath thinking, I must find a boyfriend.
“Deborah Meaden told me to get myself together, concentrate on work, forget about men, and enjoy life. As soon as I did that, Marcus came along.”
The Strictly star shared a three-year relationship with Marcus, during which he confided in him about his exit from the show.
It emerged Robin was forced to quit Strictly or “risk ending up in a wheelchair”.
He left in 2014, claiming bosses had axed him following a “horrible back operation”.
Speaking at the time, he said: “Leaving Strictly wasn’t my choice.
“I had a horrible back operation and they decided that they didn’t want to ask me back the next year.
I was paralysed on the floor of my friend’s house as the pain was so bad. I was there for three or four days.”
Robin
“It was probably for health and safety reasons, in case something happened, but I was physically fit.”
Robin also added: “I got a phone call saying ‘Thank you for all your hard work on the show.
“We won’t be needing you anymore’.
“And that was all I got.
“That hurt more than anything.
“It was heartbreaking.”
Talking about when the horror injury happened, Robin explained he had “slipped a disc in [his] back”, adding that “the nerve was exposed, causing agonising pains shooting down [his] leg”.
He said: “I was paralysed on the floor of my friend’s house as the pain was so bad. I was there for three or four days.
“I couldn’t risk going ahead. It was a heartbreaking decision but I had no choice.
“If the slipped disc had popped out while I was dancing, I could have ended up with permanent nerve damage and been in a wheelchair.”
The dancer was candid about his struggle to watch Strictly after leaving.
He revealed he spoke to Marcus about the ordeal, and leant on him for much needed support.
“I was with Marcus Collins from the X Factor, who was my partner at the time, and said to him, ‘I’m really struggling to watch the show’,” said Robin previously.
“He told me the best thing to do was to really get behind and support everybody.
“He said it was hard for him to watch the success of Little Mix, who beat him on X Factor.”
But Robin always found it hard to let go, saying: “I will always be part of that Strictly family – no matter who you are and what you do on the show, you’re always part of it.”
The pro also worked closely with the charity Sane, a helpline which supports those struggling with their mental health.
He opened up to the charity about the emotional impact of “losing his job”.
He told Sane: “That was probably the worst thing that could have ever happened to me because it took away what I loved the most.
“I loved being on Strictly more than anybody who was there.”
Robin’s death was announced yesterday after he was found dead in a London hotel.
It has been reported he suffered an incident over New Year.
A friend told the Daily Mail: “He kept saying that something had happened over New Year but he wouldn’t say what it was.
“He sounded absolutely traumatised – whatever had happened must have been truly awful.”
His final days were spent working on a luxurious cruise ship and taking in the spectacular sights of Africa.
Just days after he returned to the capital, Robin was found dead in a London hotel, the Mail reported.
It is not known how he died.
On January 4, Robin told his followers: “Big shout out and love to everyone who’s reached out and checked in the last week.
“Sorry I have not replied… it’s been a bit of a trying time and things are looking up. Robin.”
Weeks later he shared a quote from Dr Thema Bryant hinting that he had experienced trauma.
It read: “Trauma teaches you to expect and accept the bare minimum.
“In this new season, may you adjust your standards and learn to receive the maximum.
“You are worthy. You are enough. You deserve overflow.”
Robin finished runner-up on the 2012 series of Strictly with actress Lisa Riley.
The beloved dancer first appeared on the 2010 season with Patsy Kensit, before partnering Anita Dobson two years later and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden in 2013.
Robin also danced with Susanna Reid and Alison Hammond in one-off specials.
Paying tribute yesterday, Strictly co-star James Jordan said: “I had the pleasure of working with this man for many years on Strictly.
“Everyone who came in contact with him adored him, from his celebrity partners to his working colleagues. You will be missed old friend.”
Lisa, who was partnered up with Robin in 2012, also took to Instagram to share an emotional message and wrote: “My Bestie, My Robin, My Angel…….now our forever Angel, who is loved, will always be loved, forever in my heart……my very broken heart, I love you, shine your beautiful, electric energy from heaven. SHINE IN PEACE.”
Away from Strictly, Robin performed in the West End and on Broadway.
He was enrolled at a local dance school in Ipswich aged three, going on to study Ballroom and Latin dance before representing England at international level.
Robin’s big break came in 2001 when he was cast in the popular show Burn The Floor which toured around the world.
