Strictly's Layton pays Robin Windsor tribute after homophobic trolling support
Layton Williams has said that he is grateful for all Robin Windsor did for him after offering priceless support while he was hit with a barrage of homophobic and racial abuse.
The showbiz world has been in mourning since the beloved Strictly star's death was announced on Monday, with tributes flooding in from celebrities and fans sharing their own touching experiences with the professional dancer. West End star Layton, who shone on the BBC show last year, said Robin helped him cope with a torrent of trolling throughout his career.
The 29-year-old continues to face abuse on social media so severe that he books himself in for regular therapy sessions on London's Harley Street. Robin helped fight his corner and that is something the star will always remember.
Taking to his Instagram Story, he shared a photo of the pro dancer and offered some words. He wrote: "So sad. I didn't know Robin well but he was very vocal and supportive of my journey and I was grateful for that. To his family, friends and colleagues who I know will be grieving right now, i'm sending so much love. What a loss xx."
He helped Layton Williams cope with the sickening social media abuse (James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock)
The West End star took to Instagram to pay a personal tribute (Instagram/ @laytonwilliams)Since finding fame, the former Bad Education star has been subjected to cruel racial and homophobic abuse across his social media channels as well as in person. He told OK! Magazine: "You are out there and seen and then you walk down the street, people say 'hi' and it is constant. I don't want to sound like Victoria Beckham but you can't go too far without being pestered and it can have a mental effect.
Strictly's Molly Rainford and Tyler West fuel romance rumours while on tour
"It depends whether they are in a good mood or are drunk shouting at you. Sometimes when I do campaigns and things for social media I will look at my comments and I see things like 'gay, sickening, disgusting, where are the manly men any more?' I'd say 80% of the comments are dragging everything you are proud of being [down]. And I am like, 'Are you all OK? As I think I am stunning'!"
Discussing the impact of trolling, he explained: "I ask for more money (on projects) so I can pay for a therapist, I know I am going to have to get to Harley Street. I will have to have three sessions of therapy so I will book it myself." Due to the abuse that he receives, Layton claims he no longer feels safe enough to use public transport as he's not "well protected".
Ballroom & Latin dance company Burn The Floor, of which Robin was a founding member, announced the sad news about Robin's death on Tuesday, and fans and friends rushed to pay tribute to the much-loved dancer who was part of the original line-up on Strictly. He remained a popular figure among fans of the BBC dance competition after he left.
When the news of his passing first broke, the details such as the date or the cause of his death were not known. However, it has since been reported that the popular star was found dead inside a London hotel, after previously confiding in a friend about a "troubling incident" that took place over New Year.
Robin's friends launched a frantic three-day search to save the Strictly star after he went missing last week. Vincent Simone, who has known Robin since he was 17, said a close friend of the dancer began frantically ringing his pals after he vanished. But tragically they were too late, and Robin, 44, was found dead in a London hotel room on Monday. Dancer Vincent, who was hoping to work with Robin later this year, told how his pal’s loss has left him heartbroken.
He told The Mirror: “The first thing I thought of when I opened my eyes this morning was Robin. He was the best man I ever met. Robin has had these moments in the past – it was an ongoing problem. He would detach himself from people for two or three days. Then he would come back to the world, to reality. But this time, he didn’t come back.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
