What Happened to Robin Windsor After Strictly Come Dancing? When Robin Windsor stepped into the ballroom as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010, he quickly became a familiar and much-loved face. With his vibrant stage presence, technical skill and natural warmth, he formed memorable partnerships and built a loyal fan base. Yet, in the years after his departure from the BBC series, Windsor’s life took a far more difficult path — one marked by injury, career uncertainty and personal struggles that would later be laid bare at his inquest.
Windsor remained a professional on Strictly from 2010 until 2013, partnering celebrities including Lisa Riley, Anita Dobson, Deborah Meaden and Patsy Kensit. His 2012 pairing with Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley was especially popular. Their chemistry both on and off the dance floor was evident, and Riley would later describe their bond as exceptionally close. They reunited for the 2014 Christmas special, but by then, Windsor’s time as a regular professional dancer on the show was coming to an end.
A serious back injury proved to be a turning point. The physical strain forced him to sit out of the 2014 main series, a setback that reportedly hit him hard. Although he made a festive return later that year, he was not brought back as part of the permanent professional lineup the following season. Like many long-running television shows, Strictly periodically refreshes its cast — but for Windsor, the decision was deeply painful.
Friends later told an inquest that leaving the programme had a profound emotional impact on him. According to witness statements, he struggled with feelings of rejection and self-doubt. Those close to him said he questioned his worth and found it difficult to separate his identity from the glittering world of ballroom competition that had defined so much of his life.
Lisa Riley, in a written statement read to the court, described how she believed his mental health began to decline after he left the show. She said that from that point onward, he appeared to sink “deeper and deeper” into depression. The lively spark audiences once saw on screen seemed to fade, she suggested, replaced by growing sadness and insecurity.
Life after Strictly did include professional engagements. Windsor continued performing in stage productions, touring dance shows and pantomimes. He remained respected within the dance community and was admired for his talent. However, the transition away from a prime-time television platform brought financial instability. At the inquest, it was revealed that money worries became a significant source of stress. He reportedly faced mounting debts and struggled to maintain the lifestyle he had grown accustomed to during his years of television success.
Relationship difficulties also weighed heavily on him. Friends said he experienced periods of loneliness and heartbreak, which compounded his mental health challenges. While he was known publicly for his charisma and positivity, privately he battled feelings of inadequacy and anxiety about the future.
There were also suggestions that he wrestled with body image pressures common in the entertainment and dance industries. The demand to maintain peak physical condition, combined with the competitive nature of professional dance, can create intense internal pressure. For Windsor, these expectations may have intensified existing vulnerabilities.
Despite these struggles, he remained in contact with former colleagues and friends. Riley told the inquest that they maintained a close friendship long after their time as dance partners ended. She described a relationship built on deep trust, saying he confided in her about his fears and frustrations. In late 2023, concerned by a sombre social media post, she reached out to him. He reassured her that he was managing the usual ups and downs of life.
In February 2024, Robin Windsor was found dead in a London hotel at the age of 44. His death shocked fans and colleagues across the entertainment industry. Tributes poured in from fellow dancers, celebrities and viewers who remembered him not only for his talent but for his kindness and generosity.
The inquest into his death shed light on the complex web of factors that shaped his final years — professional disappointment, financial pressure, relationship struggles and declining mental health. Those who knew him spoke of a man who had once thrived in the spotlight but found it increasingly difficult to navigate life after stepping away from it.
Windsor’s story has prompted broader conversations about mental health support in the entertainment world. Performers often face unique pressures: unstable income, public scrutiny and careers that can shift suddenly due to injury or casting decisions. For many, the loss of a defining role can feel like the loss of identity itself.
Robin Windsor will be remembered for the joy he brought to millions through dance. Yet his story also serves as a sobering reminder that outward success does not always reflect inner wellbeing. Behind the sequins and standing ovations, he was a human being facing struggles that many never saw.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or emotional distress, support is available through local mental health services and helplines. Reaching out to speak to someone can be an important first step.
