Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor left a note saying the way he was treated when he was dropped from the show “destroyed me”, an inquest has heard.
The professional dancer was 44 when he was found dead in a hotel room in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, in February 2024.
Police found a note left in the room in which he said he had been “fighting it” since losing his job on the show, coroner Dr Anton van Dellen told jurors at West London Coroner’s Court on Wednesday.
Windsor joined Strictly in 2010 and danced with actresses Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson and Lisa Riley, as well as Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden, in four series until 2013.
He could not perform in the 2014 series because of a back injury and was dropped in 2015, though still danced with TV presenter Alison Hammond in the Christmas special that year.
In a written statement read to the court earlier, Emmerdale actress Riley said Windsor’s “glow had gone” after he was cut from the professional dancers’ line-up.
“It was from this moment, on to the time of his death, he kept slipping deeper and deeper into endless depression,” she said.
Riley said Windsor told her about times of “never feeling good enough” and “imposter syndrome”.
“One night he opened up, telling me of the horrific time he was molested by an old dance tutor and [he] felt his parents never really understood this,” she said.
“Robin was and always has been very influenced by other men. It became a standing joke that he fell in love after three days.”
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She said Windsor was insecure about his body and took steroids, which could put him in a bad place when combined with alcohol, adding he was “drowning in debts” and “frantically” spent money on designer items he could not afford.
“Money problems also played a part of his darker days,” she said. “He was drowning in debts which led to weekends I wouldn’t hear from him.”
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Summing up the evidence, coroner Dr van Dellen read parts of a written statement by Windsor’s ex-boyfriend, X Factor star Marcus Collins, who said Windsor’s mental health deteriorated when he was released from his Strictly contract.
“The day that he was informed that he was no longer required for Strictly really broke his spirit,” Collins said. “Robin’s mental health was challenged almost constantly from this point and at times it altered his personality.”
The BBC has been contacted for comment.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK.
Alternatively, you can call Mind’s support line on 0300 102 1234, or NHS on 111.
