Strictly's Robin Windsor hit 'downward spiral' after being snubbed by BBC show

21 February 2024 , 08:39

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Strictly's Robin Windsor hit 'downward spiral' after being snubbed by BBC show

Robin Windsor said he hit a "downward spiral" after he was axed from Strictly Come Dancing.

The late dancer appeared on the programme between 2010 and 2014 but was soon cut from the programme after he suffered an injury to his back. During an afterparty in Blackpool, the star had attempted a lift but fell and landed on marble flooring, leaving him with a slipped disc.

But while he was unable to compete due to this, Robin believed he would be called back by Strictly bosses one year later. However, this call never came, he was instead called to say he wouldn't be returning. Speaking about this in 2022, Robin revealed he soon went on a "downward spiral".

Robin Windsor tragically died aged 44 (BBC)

"I fell at Blackpool and landed on a marble floor and I knocked one of my discs out in my back, and I went on a downward spiral," he said on the My Time Capsule podcast. He went on to add: "It was the worst thing ever. I kept having injections in my back to try and numb the pain but keep dancing and as I was doing that, the disc was moving further out and it trapped a nerve and I had all the sciatica pains down the leg."

Robin went on to say that two weeks before the 2014 series of Strictly, he collapsed in agony and underwent urgent surgery. He added: "It was really, really tough to have to watch the show go on without you, but in my mind, I was like: 'Do you know, they'll have me back next year, of course they will, they'll have to'.

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"It's the nature of television. One minute you're in, the next you're out, it happens so much. Every time producers think it's time for a change, somebody has to go." The Ipswich-born dancer went on to say: "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."

Robin's dance partner Kristina Rihanoff explained he was 'destroyed' when he was sacked by Strictly bosses (Getty Images)

The late dancer appeared on the show for four years before he was axed

In a separate interview, he told Betway: "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. It was probably for health and safety reasons, in case something happened, but I was physically fit."

His former dance partner, Kristina Rihanoff also explained he struggled after being axed. Taking to Instagram, she said: "His own spirit was absolutely destroyed when he was dropped from Strictly and that's where I started to see changes in his personality, depression and broken self-worth." The star later explained that Robin had been open with fans about his struggles with mental health and that he once contemplated suicide.

Announcing his devastating death, Burn The Floor, of which he was a founding member said: "The Burn the Floor family has lost one of its founding members, Robin 'Bobby' Windsor - who has tragically passed away. A BTF journeyman he danced with us for twenty years - including Broadway, The West End and all our crazy adventures around the world. His stunning image attached with Jessica Raffa defined our company, as colourful, extreme and sensual. His talent, attitude, energy and personality helped create the Burn the Floor stage reputation. He leaves a void in our hearts that will never be filled, yet our wonderful memories will stay forever."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing said: "The whole Strictly Come Dancing family 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 friends and family at this extremely difficult time."

Mirror Online has reached out to the BBC for comment.

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Daniel Bird