Tributes have been flooding in for former Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor, following his death at the age of 44.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, it was announced that Robin had died, via a Facebook post shared by the dance company he co-founded.
Since then, his Strictly colleagues from across the years have been paying their respects.
Among the first to speak out was long-serving Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood, who wrote on X: “I have just heard the tragic news, my dear friend ’Bobby’ Robin Windsor has passed.”
Craig added: “He was one of the kindest, gentle, honest, funny and caring people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with. He will be forever missed.
“My heart goes out to all his family and friends. RIP darling man, you were truly loved.”
Former Strictly pro James Jordan, who worked with Robin on Strictly for many years, wrote: “He was always very caring and fun to be around. Everyone who came in contact with him adored him, from his celebrity partners to his working colleagues.
“You will be missed old friend.”
Meanwhile, Lisa Riley, who formed part of what was potentially Robin’s most memorable Strictly partnerships, paid tribute to “my bestie, my Robin, my angel… now our forever angel, who is loved, will always be loved, forever in my heart”.
“I love you, shine your beautiful, electric energy from heaven,” the former Emmerdale star wrote on X, alongside personal photos of herself and the late performer.
My Bestie, My Robin, My Angel…….now our forever Angel, who is loved, will always be loved, forever in my heart……my very broken heart, I love you, shine your beautiful, electric energy from heaven.
— LISA RILEY (BLUE TICK) (@Reallisariley) February 20, 2024
Susanna Reid – who danced with Robin on a Children In Need special in 2011 – also broke the news live on air on Tuesday morning, and became tearful as she recalled dancing with him.
“He had an infectious sparkle,” she recalled. “You felt like you were dancing with someone who just embodied the magic of Strictly.”
Other members of the Strictly family, both past and present, have also been sharing their memories of Robin on social media:
I’m very saddened to hear the devastating news about this beautiful human being this morning.
A wonderful dancer, true gentleman, good soul & so very young.
You will be missed by so many. Rest in Peace. Xx pic.twitter.com/MijKj6o8vK
— Shirley Ballas (@ShirleyBallas) February 20, 2024
Shocking news that our dear Robin Windsor has passed over at just 44. Anyone who has been on @bbcstrictly will know each season you become a close ‘family’ unit. We laughed, we cried, we had the best of times with Robin and Anita Dobson. Keeping a place at Gail’s for us, Robinpic.twitter.com/oAhe4mG5R6
— Russell Grant (@THERussellGrant) February 20, 2024
A statement from Strictly also said: “The whole Strictly Come Dancing family are deeply saddened to hear the news about our dear friend Robin Windsor.
“He was not only an exceptionally talented dancer and choreographer but also a caring, considerate and kind person both on and off the dancefloor. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this extremely difficult time.”
Robin will be best remembered for his time on Strictly between 2010 and 2013, during which time he was part of memorable partnerships with Lisa Riley, Anita Dobson, Patsy Kensit and Deborah Meaden.
Although he stepped down from competing on Strictly in 2014 due to a back injury, he continued to make appearances on the show, and that year, he returned for a group routine which saw same-sex pairs performing together on the show for the first time, a move he had long championed.
