Lisa Riley Breaks Down Over Robin Windsor's Tragic Downward Spiral
Lisa Riley struggled to contain her emotions as she candidly discussed the profound mental health decline of her dear friend and former Strictly Come Dancing star, Robin Windsor, prior to his untimely death in 2024. Windsor, who passed away at just 44 years old, was removed from the BBC dancing competition following a severe injury sustained during a cast party in Blackpool, which resulted in a slipped spinal disk and persistent nerve issues.
The Impact of Losing Strictly
Appearing on Loose Women, the 49-year-old Emmerdale actress revealed that Windsor's spirit dimmed significantly after his departure from Strictly. She explained to hosts Kaye Adams, Coleen Nolan, and Janet Street-Porter that the dancer felt unwanted and experienced a sharp decline in his mental well-being. "Soon as he lost his job on Strictly, you saw this downward spiral in him and the light went off, the magic," Riley recounted. "His mental health started to struggle, he felt that he wasn't wanted anymore, he felt that he couldn't get a boyfriend anymore - all he ever wanted... I just wish that he could hear how loved he was, I said that at his funeral."
A Friendship Like No Other
Reflecting on their unique bond, Riley added, "He is my one in a million friend and meeting him I just knew he was, like my firework and my male me. It's been really hard since he passed and it's been two years. Last Thursday was the anniversary, two years have gone by and you think to yourself 'How could I have lost such a wonderful person in my life? Why was his life taken so, so soon?' He was too young to die." She continued, "With suicide, it's hard because you don't understand why they're going to take their life. I will always have him, I said it before, he was my backpack in life, I keep him with me, and I want to keep that going forever."
Ex-Fiancé's Heartbreaking Account
In a separate revelation, Robin's ex-fiancé, Davide Cini, spoke out about the dancer's battle with anxiety and depression during an appearance on ITV's This Morning. Cini, who remained close friends with Windsor after their engagement ended, noted that he first observed the star's struggles after Windsor left Strictly in 2015. "Until after he was no longer on the show, I had never seen Robin struggling with depression," Cini shared. "Things degraded along the years, unfortunately. He was struggling."
Inquest Findings and Suicide Notes
An inquest into Windsor's death, held at West London Coroner's Court, concluded that he died by suicide, with jurors noting he was "vulnerable to rejection both emotionally and professionally." The medical cause of death was determined to be a combination of alcohol and the drug gamma-butyrolactone (GBH). Police discovered two notes near his body; in one, Windsor wrote that his mental health troubles "all really started when I lost my job on Strictly," adding, "The way they treated me destroyed me…It started me on the road I'm still on. All I wanted from life was to be happy. I loved my job more than anyone else."
Strictly's Decision and Aftermath
Louise Rainbow, a former executive producer on Strictly, testified that Windsor was dropped as part of a lineup refresh, alongside three other dancers. She described him as a "joy to work with" and noted no particular concerns about his mental health at the time. However, friend and co-star Kristina Rihanoff told the inquest that being axed had a "very severe" psychological impact on Windsor, devastating him deeply.
Personal Struggles and Reminders
Davide Cini also shared poignant details about their shared life, including their dog, Luka, who still barks at the doorbell, hoping it might be Robin returning home. "He still barks when he hears the doorbell ring because he thinks it's Robin and it breaks my heart every time," Cini admitted. He reflected on their engagement, which was orchestrated by Lisa Riley during a helicopter ride over the Statue of Liberty in New York, but ultimately ended due to the overwhelming public attention.
Legacy and Tributes
Robin Windsor, who began dancing at age three and achieved world championship titles, left a lasting legacy in the dance community. He was set to feature in the Legends Of The Dance Floor tour in late 2024, a project he hoped would rejuvenate his career. A BBC spokesperson expressed sympathy, stating, "Our sympathies are with Robin's family, friends, and all who knew him. The whole of the Strictly Come Dancing family remain deeply saddened by his passing."
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