Robin Windsor's former X Factor star boyfriend shares wish he's 'at peace'

23 February 2024 , 08:59

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X Factor finalist Marcus Collins says he hopes the late Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor is 'at peace' (Image: PA)

X Factor finalist Marcus Collins says he hopes the late Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor is "at peace" after his tragic death.

In news which sent shockwaves through the Strictly community, the much-loved dancer was reportedly found dead in a London hotel room this week, aged 44, after posting a haunting Instagram post about "hiding in the shadows".

Marcus, 35, who made it to the final of the X Factor in 2011 dated Robin for 18 months after they met in 2013 and has now taken to social media with a heartbreaking tribute to his ex. Sharing a black and white video of American singer Yebba, also known as Abigail Elizabeth Smith, he wrote: "@robinwindsor be at peace my darling," alongside a dove and broken-hearted emoji.

Marcus Collins dated Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor for 18 months (Getty Images)

The X Factor star shared this emotional video of singer, Yebba (marcuscollinsuk/Instagram)

Yebba's lyrics in the video are particularly touching as she sings while playing the piano: "I'm so very glad that you found me in time. This will be an everlasting love for me."

Robin first met Marcus when they passed each other in the corridor at the ITV studios in 2011. But it wasn't until the Crosby-born singer spotted a picture of the Surrey-born star on the cover of Gay Times in 2013 that the pair began dating.

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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."

The dancer was paired with a host of celebrities during his tenure on Strictly, including Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden. When opening up about his relationship with Marcus, he explained the 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.”

The couple soon went Twitter official with their relationship, posting a snap of themselves beaming in Italy alongside a caption from Marcus, saying: "HAPPIEST MAN ALIVE!! Literally drunk in love." Meanwhile, Robin gushed: "Best day ever @MarcuscollinsUK," alongside his own pictures. However, despite their gorgeous photos, the loved-up pair called it quits in 2015 with Robin's spokesperson confirming the news, saying there would be no further comment

Following the news of the dancer's death, which was announced on Monday by Burn The Floor dance company on Facebook, Marcus paid a heartbreaking tribute to his ex. Sharing a photo of the pair on Instagram, he said: "The World just got a lot less sparkly. Robin You were so loved."

Victoria Johns