20 February 2024 , 09:53
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Strictly Come Dancing's Robin Windsor dated X Factor star, Marcus Collins, for 18 months before he sadly died, aged 44, this week.
The much-loved dancer first met 35-year-old Marcus - who was a finalist on the ITV talent show in 2011 - when they passed each other in the corridor at the ITV studios. But it wasn't until a few years later when the Crosby-born singer spotted a picture of Robin on the cover of Gay Times in 2013 that the pair began dating.
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."
Robin Windsor used to date X Factor's Marcus Collins after the singer spotted a photo of the late star on the cover of Gay Times
The much-loved dancer, who has sadly died aged 44, first met Marcus, 35, who was a finalist on the ITV talent show in 2011Robin was paired with a host of celebrities during his tenure on Strictly Come Dancing, including Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden. When opening up about his relationship with Marcus, he explained the no-nonsense business mogul was responsible for his romance with former hairdresser, Marcus revealing: "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.”
Marcus, who is now a musical theatre star and most recently performing as Andre in Mrs Doubtfire at the Adelphi Theatre, dated Robin for 18 months. During their relationship they appeared together on the front cover of Gay Times in 2014. In that month's edition of the magazine, Marcus said: "I thought he looked amazing. My family watch both X Factor and Strictly where all the guys are good looking, but there was one who always stood out for me.”
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The couple also went Twitter official with their relationship, posting a snap of themselves beaming in Italy alongside a caption from Marcus, saying: "HAPPIEST MAN ALIVE!!" alongside a picture of the pair of them on a gondola in the damp city of Venice. Literally drunk in love." Meanwhile, Robin gushed: "Best day ever @MarcuscollinsUK," alongside his own pictures.
However, despite their gorgeous pictures, the loved-up pair called it quits in 2015 with Robin's spokesperson confirming the news, saying there would be no further comment. But things were pretty serious during their relationship with Marcus even speaking about tying the knot with the dancer.
Speaking to OK!, he said: "We’ve talked about what our ideal wedding would be like to get some insight into what the other is thinking. Our dream wedding would be somewhere like Downton Abbey, something fabulous in a British estate." Robin added: "We both know where this is heading and that this is for the long term. It’s a case of being the right time. I’ve always wanted to get married to the person I love and that fairytale is getting closer every day."
Following the sad news of Robin's death, which was announced today by Burn The Floor dance company on Facebook, Marcus paid tribute to his ex with a heartbreaking tribute. Sharing a photo of the pair on Instagram, he said: "The World just got a lot less sparkly. Robin You were so loved."
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Marcus' followers rushed to share their support after his post, as one commented: "So sorry for your loss. Thoughts are with you x." Another added: "Am so sorry to hear this sad news, we are all shocked and my heart is beating so fast for him as he was such a stunning man with beautiful personality. You both were beautiful couple too."