Strictly Star Robin Windsor's Death Ruled Suicide After Inquest Reveals Tragic Struggles
The inquest into the death of former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Robin Windsor concluded today, with a jury delivering a verdict of suicide. The panel determined that Windsor, who was found deceased at the Hoxton Hotel in Shepherd's Bush, London, on February 19, 2024, at age 44, took his own life after an accumulation of factors led to severe depression.
Jury Identifies Multiple Contributing Factors to Tragic Death
After approximately two hours of deliberation, the ten-person jury ruled that Windsor's death was suicide, attributing it to "an accumulation of many attributes to depression." The jury forewoman informed the court that Windsor "suffered from childhood trauma" and was "vulnerable to rejection, both emotionally and professionally."
The panel concurred that several elements were contributing factors to Windsor's decision to end his life:
- Loneliness and lack of emotional maturity
- Pressure from mounting debts
- Insufficient consistent mental health care and support
- Recurring heartache from personal relationships
At the time of his death, Windsor had a blood alcohol level more than double the legal limit for driving and had ingested the drug GBL.
Heartbreaking Notes Reveal Professional Rejection Impact
In a poignant note left to a close friend prior to his death, Windsor wrote: "This all actually really started when I lost my place on Strictly and I have been fighting it ever since." He added: "I had a good run, I've done some incredible things in my 44 years and had an unreal life doing what I loved, but all things must come to an end and my curtain has come down for the final time."
A further message to former partner Ollie Augstin, with whom Windsor had ended his relationship the previous year, stated: "I need you to understand, this is not your fault!"
Strictly Career and Subsequent Struggles
The accomplished Latin and ballroom performer joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 and partnered with notable celebrities across four series until 2013, including actresses Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, and Lisa Riley, as well as Dragons' Den businesswoman Deborah Meaden. An injury to his back prevented him from participating in the 2014 series, and he was subsequently dropped from the show in 2015, though he did feature in that year's Christmas special, performing alongside television presenter Alison Hammond.
Emotional Testimonies from Friends and Colleagues
Throughout the inquest, moving evidence was presented by Windsor's friends and professional associates, including his Strictly partners Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden, alongside former Strictly professional Kristina Rihanoff.
In a statement delivered at Wednesday's hearing, Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley remarked that Windsor's "glow had gone" following his departure from Strictly. "It was from this moment, on to the time of his death, he kept slipping deeper and deeper into endless depression," she said.
The soap star explained that she and Windsor shared an exceptionally close bond that endured long after their participation in the tenth series of Strictly had concluded. "To say we hit it off was an understatement. We were joined at the hip. Robin was my rock, my best friend." She further informed the jury that Windsor had "told me of the horrific time where he was molested by his old dance tutor and felt his parents never really understood this, nor did they come to his rescue."
In a separate statement, businesswoman and Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden revealed that while Windsor "always did his best to present a bright and sunny face," she had witnessed her dance partner appearing "tearful and distracted at times."
Another witness, pantomime performer John Gleede, stated that Windsor "seemed obsessed with Strictly Come Dancing" during a 2023 production of Aladdin, a full decade after his departure from the show. "During the rehearsal period he had a lot of time on his hands. He was sitting on the sidelines watching footage of Strictly, the current series. He was looking at it on his phone continuously. He missed it dearly."
Coroner's Closing Remarks and Legacy
Upon delivering the verdict, Coroner van Dellen addressed Mr Windsor's relative present in court: "I hope the family can take some comfort from the joy Robin brought to so many people and the positive effect he had on so many people." He added: "That's a wonderful legacy for Robin to leave."
Van Dellen had asked jurors to establish how Windsor met his death, explaining: "You will need to consider the extent to which matters or events probably more than minimally contributed to Robin's mental health deterioration, which in turn led him to take his own life."
