Strictly star Robin Windsor to be laid to rest at funeral today as heartbroken family and friends pay tribute to dancer
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Robin Windsor will be laid to rest today surrounded by family and friends.
The 44-year-old was found dead in a London hotel room last month.
The Latin and Ballroom icon had been performing on a cruise ship touring the world in the weeks leading up to his death.
Mourners will gather in his home town of Ipswich, Suffolk, to say their final goodbyes.
Guests have been asked to bring a rainbow umbrella for a "colourful celebration" of Robin's life.
Susanna Reid, ex-dance partner Kristina Rhianoff and Lisa Riley are expected to be among mourners.
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A family statement said: “The funeral will be a private service for invited family, friends and colleagues who were important to Robin in both his personal life and professional career.
“In the meantime we once again thank everyone for the love and the memories shared of Robin.
“As a family we also please ask for there to be no further upsetting speculation. We thank you for respecting our continued privacy at this difficult time.”
Robin appeared on Strictly between 2010 and 2013 partnering with Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson and Deborah Meaden.
He partnered with Sara Cox, Lisa Riley and Alison Hammond for Strictly Christmas Specials between 2013 and 2015.
He was forced to quit Strictly in 2014 following a back injury or "risk ending up in a wheelchair".
Speaking at the time, he said: "Leaving Strictly wasn’t my choice.
"I had a horrible back operation and they decided that they didn’t want to ask me back the next year.
"It was probably for health and safety reasons, in case something happened, but I was physically fit."
In recent years, after struggling with his mental health, Robin had moved into motivational speaking and corporate team building.
But in 2021, he revealed he had been "cashless since the pandemic" and told how a mix up left him with a £100,000 tax bill in 2015.
In the weeks before his death, the dancer was working on Fred Olsen Cruise ship touring the world.
He shared smiling selfies from South Africa while entertaining holidaymakers.
While last pictures of Robin show him dancing on stage with his professional partner as it docked in Mozambique.
One of his last Instagram posts was a black and white mirror selfie which he caption: "Hiding in the shadows."
The dancer was found dead in a London hotel room on February 19.
Strictly’s team paid tribute, saying they were “deeply saddened” by the loss of their “dear friend”.
Kristina Rihanoff said it was "an absolute tragedy he felt there was no way out".
According to his website, Robin began dancing aged three when his parents enrolled him in classes in Ipswich.
In an interview with The Times, he revealed his mum worked at a petrol station to pay for his dance classes.
He said: "[She] gave me half what she earned for dance lessons. She gave up so much to help me fulfil my ambitions.
"I owe her everything."
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Robin went on to represent England in numerous championships at home and abroad.
He also appeared in the stage shows Come What May, a tribute to Moulin Rouge, and Burn The Floor.
