Robin Windsor’s Struggles with Love

Robin Windsor ‘just wanted to be loved’ and his relationships were what he ‘struggle with the most’, it has been claimed.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star was found dead in a hotel room in London on 19 February 2024 aged 44.

The performer was a professional dancer on the BBC show from 2010 to 2013 and his death prompted an outpouring of grief across the dancing world. 

Robin’s close friend and former Strictly co-star Vincent Simone told how the star was a hopeless romantic.

Speaking to The Mirror, he said: ‘Robin was always falling in love. It was a big thing for him. The poor man just wanted to be loved. He had loads of love from the rest of us, almost too much.

Robin Windsor ‘just wanted to be loved’ and his relationships were what he ‘struggle with the most’, it has been claimed

Robin was previously in a relationship with former X Factor singer Marcus Collins, with the pair dating from 2013 to 2015 (pictured in 2014)

Robin’s close friend and former Strictly co-star Vincent Simone told how the star was a hopeless romantic (pictured together in 2011)

‘But I almost lost count of his boyfriends. He wasn’t that person who slept around, but he wanted a full on serious relationship. 

‘He was looking for love, a marriage, something serious. I think it was his love life, his relationships, that he struggled with the most.’

Robin was previously in a relationship with former X Factor singer Marcus Collins, with the pair dating from 2013 to 2015.  

Vincent is also a professional dancer and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing from 2006 until 2012. 

After Robin went missing shortly before his death, Vincent frantically rang those close to the star to find out where he was.

Vincent, who had known Robin since he was 17, told the Mirror his friend was known to go missing and that it had been an ‘ongoing problem’.

He said: ‘He would detach himself from people for two or three days. Then he would come back to the world, to reality. But this time, he didn’t come back. He was the best man I ever met.’

The professional Latin and Ballroom dancer suffered a troubling incident over the New Year period, before embarking to perform on a luxurious cruise in South Africa.

Vincent said: ‘Robin was always falling in love. It was a big thing for him. The poor man just wanted to be loved. He had loads of love from the rest of us’ (pictured with Marcus in 2014)

Robin and Kristina Rihanoff during the launch of their Burn the Floor show in 2013

Robin’s dance partners included TV presenter Susanna Reid, seen here performing together on Strictly Come Dancing for Children in Need in 2011

‘He kept saying that something had happened over New Year but he wouldn’t say what it was,’ a told the Mail. ‘He sounded absolutely traumatised – whatever had happened must have been truly awful.’

Seven days earlier, the dancer had reposted a quote which said: ‘Trauma teaches you to expect and accept the bare minimum. In this new season, may you adjust your standards and learn to receive the maximum. You are worthy. You are enough. You deserve overflow.’

And on January 4, he had shared a message with his friends and followers which said: ‘Big shout out and love to everyone who’s reached out and checked in the last week. Sorry I have not replied… it’s been a bit of a trying time and things are looking up. Robin.’

Tributes poured in underneath the star’s last selfie, with one fan writing: ‘So shocked and saddened to hear the news. Have followed him for years since Strictly, an amazing talent. RIP.’

He spent his final days enjoying a safari as well as the sunny beaches of Cape Town.

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