Wikipedia

Robin Windsor

Robin Jamie Windsor (15 September 1979 – 19 February 2024) was an English professional Latin and ballroom dancer, best known for appearing as a professional dancer on the BBC television series Strictly Come Dancing.

Robin Windsor
Born
Robin Jamie Windsor

(1979-09-15)15 September 1979
Ipswich, Suffolk, England
Died19 February 2024(2024-02-19) (aged 44)
London, England
Occupations
  • Professional dancer
  • choreographer
TelevisionStrictly Come Dancing (2010–2013)
PartnerMarcus Collins (2013–2015)

Early life

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Robin Jamie Windsor was born on 15 September 1979[1][2] in Ipswich, Suffolk, and grew up in the Spring Road area.[3] He attended Clifford Road Primary and Copleston High School.[4][5] He began dancing at the age of three, when his parents took him to the Ipswich School of Dancing.[6] At the age of 14, Windsor moved to London to pursue his career as a dancer.[7]

Career

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Competitive career

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Windsor's interest in dance was initiated by his parents when they enrolled him at the age of three in a local dance school in Ipswich. From the beginning, he studied both Latin and Ballroom dance, eventually competing in those disciplines at the highest levels. His skills eventually led him to represent England, amassing numerous World Championships, both on the domestic and international level. Windsor competed successfully in the juvenile and junior ballroom dancer categories. He represented England in the World Championships.[8]

Professional partnership

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In 2010, in Windsor's first season with Strictly Come Dancing, Kristina Rihanoff became his professional partner.[9] They performed solo routines on the show and also took their partnership off the Strictly dance floor, both headlining Burn the Floor in London's West End in 2013.[10] The partnership took them all over the world, including charity events and Strictly cruise ship performances.[11] They performed in the South African version of Strictly Come Dancing and taught large groups at this special event.[12]

Dance shows

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Summer 2015 saw Windsor and Rihanoff in a touring production of Puttin' On the Ritz, featuring the most famous song and dance moments of the last 50 years of the golden age of Hollywood, recreated live on stage.[13] Puttin on the Ritz involved song and dance and featured music from George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and others, with a cast of award-winning singers and dancers.[14]

Windsor and Rihanoff also took part in dance weekends around the county.[15]

Dance lessons

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Windsor started his own branded dance lessons with "Beginners Ballroom" in March 2015 with a music hall feel at Cecil Sharp House in London[16] and same sex ballroom lessons in a music hall setting, starting at Wilton's Music Hall in Shadwell, London, in April 2015.[17]

Theatre

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From 2003 to summer 2010, Windsor was part of the cast of Burn the Floor, one of the leading ballroom-based shows in the world.[18] Two tours with Burn the Floor (2003, 2004) and three with FloorPlay (2006 to 2008) took him several times around the world, leading up to the highlights being a stint on Broadway (2009) and in the London West End (2010).[19] In Windsor's last season with Burn the Floor in London, he was engaged in the role of Swing having to learn all male dancers' parts, to step in for anyone who was unable to perform.[20] From Broadway, Windsor's abilities took him to Dancing with the Stars Australia and So You Think You Can Dance in Holland. He was also asked to assist in the choreography for the Australian version of So You Think You Can Dance.[21]

In 2012, Windsor starred in Dance To The Music Tour along with his professional partner Kristina Rihanoff, fellow pro-dancers from Strictly Come Dancing, Artem Chigvintsev and Kara Tointon, who won the competition in 2010.[22] With music from the Strictly Come Dancing Band, the show toured the UK.[23]

From 6 March to 30 June 2013, Windsor – along with his professional partner Rihanoff – returned to headline Burn the Floor, at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End.[24] In 2022, Windsor returned to Burn the Floor for their UK reunion tour.[25][26]

Charity

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Together with fellow SCD dancer Artem Chigvintsev, Windsor posed for the Cosmopolitan December 2010 centrefold, raising awareness for male cancer.[27] In January 2011 he took part in the Greater Manchester Police's campaign against domestic violence, together with the cast of the SCD Tour 2011.[28]

Windsor supported the Stonewall campaigning for gay, lesbian and bisexual equality[29] and supported the Mad Trust with its West End Bares charity event seeing the theatre community coming together to raise money for HIV charities.[30] Windsor hosted the auction in 2013 ending up completely naked on stage.[31]

Strictly Come Dancing

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Windsor appeared on the BBC One show Strictly Come Dancing from 2010 until 2013, partnering with Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden.[32]

Highest and lowest scoring performances per dance

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Series Partner Place Average
Score
8 Patsy Kensit 7th 28.0
9 Anita Dobson 7th 29.7
10 Lisa Riley 5th 29.3
11 Deborah Meaden 12th 25.2

Series 8

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Main article: Strictly Come Dancing (series 8)

In September 2010, Windsor joined the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing as one of the three new male professional dancers.[33] For his first year Robin was partnered with actress Patsy Kensit. Robin's professional partner was Kristina Rihanoff. Both performed for many celebrities including Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Rod Stewart and Katherine Jenkins. His first series (Series 8), with his Celebrity partner Patsy Kensit, he reached seventh place.[34]

Week # Dance/song Judges' scores Result
Horwood Goodman Dixon Tonioli Total
1 Waltz / "When I Need You" 4 6 6 6 22 N/A
2 Salsa / "Canned Heat" 7 7 7 7 28 Safe
3 Quickstep / "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" 5 6 7 6 24 Safe
4 Charleston / "Hot Honey Rag" 6 8 7 7 28 Safe
5 Jive / "Monster Mash" 7 8 8 8 31 Safe
6 Cha-Cha-Cha / "All the Lovers" 6 8 7 8 29 Safe
7 Viennese Waltz / "Anyone Who Had a Heart" 7 9 8 8 32 Safe
8 Samba / "Copacabana" 6 7 8 7 28 Bottom Two
9 Argentine Tango / "They" 7 8 8 7 30 Eliminated

On 17 December 2010, Windsor won the Grand Piano Pro Challenge on Strictly Come Dancing's sister programme It Takes Two with 3548 points in front of Brendan Cole (1907) and Natalie Lowe (1091).[35]

Windsor and Kensit also took part in the Strictly Come Dancing pro/celeb tour in January and February 2011, dancing the Salsa and the Viennese Waltz, reaching respectable scores of between 60 and 53 out of 60 (including a few 10s for their Viennese Waltz towards the end of the tour).[36]

Series 9

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Main article: Strictly Come Dancing (series 9)

On 15 June 2011, the BBC announced that Windsor would again be competing in the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing.[37] In the launch show on 10 September 2011, Windsor was paired with actress Anita Dobson,[38] with the couple being named "Team Dobbin" by Robin Windsor on Twitter.[39] They were eliminated on 27 November 2011 after Windsor had been unable to dance for a week due to an injury. Dobson therefore rehearsed and danced the Cha Cha Cha and the Swingathon with Brendan Cole.[40] Windsor also won this year's Children in need special and was partnered with BBC Breakfast's Susanna Reid.[41]

Week # Dance/song Judges' scores Result
Horwood Goodman Dixon Tonioli Total
1 Waltz / "Three Times a Lady" 7 7 7 7 28 N/A
2 Salsa / "Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)" 7 7 7 7 28 Safe
3 Jive / "You Can't Stop the Beat" 6 7 7 7 27 Safe
4 American Smooth / "I've Got You Under My Skin" 8 8 8 8 32 Safe
5 Tango / "Devil Woman" 7 8 8 8 31 Safe
6 Charleston / "I Got Rhythm" 7 8* 8 8 31 Safe
7 Argentine Tango / "Tango" 7 9 8 9 33 Bottom Two
8 Samba / "Come on Eileen" 6 7 7 7 27 Safe
9* Cha Cha Cha / "Uptown Girl" 7 8 7 8 30 Eliminated
Swing Marathon / "Chattanooga Choo Choo" Awarded 2 extra points

Series 10

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Main article: Strictly Come Dancing (series 10)

In June 2012, it was announced that Windsor would return to be a professional dancer for the third time. This time, he was paired with actress and presenter Lisa Riley. Windsor enjoyed his most successful series of Strictly Come Dancing to date when he reached the semi-final dancing with Riley. The pair were the people's favourite and wowed audiences in the UK as part of the Strictly Come Dancing live tour in 2013.[43]

Week # Dance/song Judges' scores Result
Horwood Bussell Goodman Tonioli Total
1 Cha-Cha-Cha / "Think" 8 8 7 7 30 N/A
2 Viennese Waltz / "Never Tear Us Apart" 7 6 6 6 25 Safe
3 Jive / "Hanky Panky" 8 6 7 8 29 Safe
4 Charleston / "Witch Doctor" 6 6 7 7 26 Safe
5 Tango / "Let's Stick Together" 7 7 6 7 27 Safe
6 Foxtrot / "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" 8 8 8 8 32 Safe
7 Samba / "Car Wash" 8 8 8 8 32 Safe
8 Rumba / "As If We Never Said Goodbye" 7 6 7 7 27 Safe
9 Quickstep / "Bring Me Sunshine" 7 8 8 8 31 Safe
10 Cha Cha Cha & Tango Fusion / "Voulez-Vous" 7 8 7 8 30 Safe
11 American Smooth / "All That Jazz"
Salsa / "Best Years of Our Lives" 		8
7 		8
8 		8
8 		8
8 		32
31 		Eliminated

Series 11

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Main article: Strictly Come Dancing (series 11)

In June 2013, Windsor confirmed his return as one of the male professional dancers for the eleventh series of the show. His celebrity partner was Dragon's Den panellist, businesswoman and entrepreneur Deborah Meaden. The couple were eliminated in week 5. The pair went on to compete in the Strictly Come Dancing live tour.[44]

Week # Dance/song Judges' scores Result
Horwood Bussell Goodman Tonioli Total
1 Tango / "Money, Money, Money" 6 6 6 6 24 N/A
2 Cha-Cha-Cha / "Respect" 5 7 6 6 24 Safe
3 Quickstep / "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" 7 7 7 7 28 Safe
4 Jive / "Making Your Mind Up" 5 6 6 6 23 Safe
5 Viennese Waltz / "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" 6 7 7 7 27 Eliminated

Series 12

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Windsor was unable to perform in Series 12 due to a back injury, and was replaced by Trent Whiddon.[45] He returned to the show in week nine, on 23 November 2014, in the opening professional sequence, as a policeman, dancing to "Rock This Town" by the Stray Cats.[citation needed]

Christmas Specials

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(Scores in brackets are judges' individual scores in this order: Revel Horwood, Bussell, Goodman, Tonioli)

Windsor competed in three Strictly Christmas Specials:

Personal life

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Windsor lived in London with his partner Davide Cini, to whom he announced his engagement on 21 August 2013.[46] The relationship ended shortly after, and in February 2014, it was confirmed that he was in a relationship with The X Factor runner-up Marcus Collins.[47] The couple split up in February 2015, after 18 months together.[48]

Death

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Windsor was found dead in a hotel room in London on 19 February 2024,[1][49][50][51] aged 44.[52][53] A cause of death was not revealed; however, his former dance partner Kristina Rihanoff said in a tribute to him that it was "an absolute tragedy he felt there was no way out".[54][55][56]

His former employers Burn the Floor and Strictly Come Dancing paid tribute to Windsor, the latter describing him as "an exceptionally talented dancer and choreographer [...] as well as a considerate and kind person both on and off the dancefloor".[32] Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden, who had been partnered with Windsor on the show, also paid tribute, with the latter describing him as "kind and incredibly generous", adding "he lit up a room with his fun and energy and certainly his sparkle ... he was never happier than when he was covered in crystals!".[57]

Windsor's funeral was held on 26 March 2024 in his hometown of Ipswich.[58][59][60] On 14 September 2024, the first episode of the 22nd series of Strictly Come Dancing was dedicated to the memory of both Windsor and former contestant Dave Myers.[61]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Robin Windsor obituary: Popular star of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing". 22 February 2024 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  2. ^ Rodger, James (20 February 2024). "Robin Windsor's tragic six-word reason for quitting Strictly before death". Birmingham Live.
  3. ^ "'He always remembered where he started': Tribute to 'magic performer' Robin Windsor". Ipswich Star. 21 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Ipswich: Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor determined to tame Dragons' Den tycoon Deborah Meaden after dance floor pairing". East Anglian Daily Times. 10 September 2013.
  5. ^ "Ipswich-born Robin Windsor inspired local performer to pursue career". 20 February 2024 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Ipswich School of Dancing". Archived from the original on 20 December 2010.
  7. ^ Suffolk dancer swings into the Strictly spotlight Archived 18 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Bio on robinwindsor.com". www.robinwindsor.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  9. ^ "k-r-journey". www.officialkristinarihanoff.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Robin Windsor's Strictly partner says he was 'destroyed' after crushing career blow". The Independent. 21 February 2024.
  11. ^ "P&O Cruises announces Strictly Stars for Summer 2013 Cruises".
  12. ^ "'May you dance with the angels': Robin Windsor's Strictly partner says dancer was in 'excruciating pain' before death". LBC Radio.
  13. ^ Cheesman, Neil (15 May 2015). "Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor star in Puttin' on the Ritz".
  14. ^ "Puttin' on the Ritz". Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2015.
  15. ^ "Anton Du Beke, Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara , Giovanni Pernice, Oti Mabuse – Donaheys Dance Events". www.donaheys.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  16. ^ "TicketWeb – independent music concert tickets and more". www.ticketweb.uk. Archived from the original on 2 March 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  17. ^ "Robin Windsor's Same Sex Ballroom for Beginners – To Do List". 12 April 2015.
  18. ^ "Robin Windsor". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011.
  19. ^ "Robin Windsor". linkedin.com. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  20. ^ "INTERVIEW with Robin Windsor, Keep Dancing, September 2016". 3 September 2016.
  21. ^ "Robin Windsor: Strictly Come Dancing professional dies aged 44". 20 February 2024 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  22. ^ "Dance To The Music". www.totalswindon.com.
  23. ^ "Gigs And Tours News". Gigs and Tours. 19 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Robin returns to 'Burn The Floor' in 2013". www.robinwindsor.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  25. ^ Web, UK Theatre. "Tour archive for Burn the Floor – The Reunion (Dance or ballet). 12 July 2022-22 July 2022 [TOUR]". UK Theatre Web.
  26. ^ "Robin Windsor death: Family thank fans for 'outpouring of love and celebration'". The Independent. 22 February 2024.
  27. ^ "HOT NAKED PICTURE! Kara Tointon's Strictly Come Dancing partner Artem Chigvintsev goes nude – now". Nowmagazine.co.uk. 18 December 2010. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  28. ^ "Strictly Valentine | Flickr – Photo Sharing!". Flickr. 21 March 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  29. ^ "Help make sport everyone's game". Stonewall. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  30. ^ sarahthomsondesign.co.uk, Sarah Thomson-. "Events Archive – Page 3 of 8". MAD.
  31. ^ "West End Bares-2013 – the Make a Difference Trust". Archived from the original on 20 January 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  32. ^ a b "Robin Windsor: Strictly Come Dancing professional dies aged 44". 20 February 2024. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  33. ^ "BBC One – Strictly Come Dancing – Robin Windsor". Bbc.co.uk. 1 January 1970. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  34. ^ "Watch: Robin Windsor's glittering Strictly moments". BBC News.
  35. ^ "Piano (i-t-t- 55) Nat-alie Bren-dan Rob-in 2010". YouTube. 17 December 2010. Archived from the original on 11 May 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  36. ^ "SCD Tour 2011 Scores and Results – Strictly Come Dancing – Digital Spy Forums". Digitalspy.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  37. ^ "Press Office – New professional dancer joins Strictly Come Dancing 2011". BBC. Archived from the original on 5 January 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  38. ^ Anita Dobson. "Strictly Come Dancing 2011 – Celebrities – Anita Dobson". BBC. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  39. ^ "Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  40. ^ BBC Strictly Nora. "Strictly Come Dancing: Brendan comes to the rescue again!". BBC. Archived from the original on 2 January 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  41. ^ Bullen, Jamie (20 February 2024). "Ex-Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor dies aged 44". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  42. ^ BBC Strictly Nora. "Strictly Come Dancing: Jennifer Grey joins the judges on Strictly". BBC. Archived from the original on 6 December 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  43. ^ "Emmerdale's Lisa Riley tribute to 'bestie' after Strictly Robin Windsor's death". Manchester Evening News. 20 February 2024. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  44. ^ "Dragon Deborah Meaden gets the boot off Strictly Come Dancing". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 27 October 2013 – via m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  45. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing: Robin Windsor pulls out over injury". BBC News. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  46. ^ "'Strictly Come Dancing's Robin Windsor engaged to boyfriend – Strictly Come Dancing News – Reality TV". Digital Spy. 21 August 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  47. ^ "Robin Windsor and Marcus Collins split". Digital Spy. 16 February 2015. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  48. ^ "Robin Windsor and Marcus Collins split up | OK! Magazine". Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2015.
  49. ^ "Strictly star Robin Windsor 'was found dead in hotel in London' after 'troubling incident' over New Year". LBC.
  50. ^ "Former Strictly Come Dancing star Robin 'Bobby' Windsor dies aged 44". Sky News. 20 February 2024. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  51. ^ Chudy, Emily (26 March 2024). "Strictly star Robin Windsor buried in private funeral". PinkNews. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  52. ^ Duggins, Alexi (20 February 2024). "Robin Windsor, former Strictly Come Dancing professional, dies at 44". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  53. ^ "Robin Windsor obituary: Popular star of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing". The Times. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  54. ^ "'May you dance with the angels': Robin Windsor's Strictly partner says dancer was in 'excruciating pain' before death". LBC. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  55. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor 'tragically' dies, aged 44". The Independent. 20 February 2024. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  56. ^ Hogan, Michael (20 February 2024). "Strictly pro Robin Windsor was the show's gentle giant, who paved the way for same-sex dancing". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2024 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  57. ^ "Robin Windsor: Deborah Meaden pays tribute to Strictly Come Dancing star". BBC News. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  58. ^ Butt, Maira (25 March 2024). "Family of late Strictly star Robin Windsor reveal funeral arrangements". The Independent. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  59. ^ Chaudhari, Shivani (25 March 2024). "Ipswich funeral for ex-Strictly star Robin Windsor". BBC. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  60. ^ Masters, Samantha (25 March 2024). "Strictly stars remember Robin Windsor at colourful funeral 5 weeks after his death aged 44". Daily Express. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  61. ^ Theil, Michele (15 September 2024). "Strictly Come Dancing pays tribute to Robin Windsor and Dave Myers in launch show". PinkNews. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
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