A single fall at a Blackpool after-party following Strictly Come Dancing marked a turning point in Robin Windsor’s life, an injury that ended his time on the show and, as later heard in court, preceded a devastating decline in his mental health.
The Blackpool Injury That Changed Everything
In 2013, after performing in a Strictly Blackpool special, Windsor attended a celebratory after-party. During the evening, he attempted a lift and was accidentally dropped. The fall left him with a slipped disc and serious back damage.
His former fiancé, Davide Cini, later told ITV:
“During an after-party, they attempted a lift and he was dropped. He really hurt himself and it really affected him.”
Windsor missed the following series of Strictly Come Dancing and his contract was not renewed. Although the party was not organised by the BBC, friends later suggested that better safeguarding around alcohol-heavy wrap events could help protect performers in similar environments.
In a note left before his death, Windsor wrote that being dropped from the show had “destroyed” him.
Death and Inquest Findings
Robin Windsor was found dead in a west London hotel on 19 February 2024 at the age of 44.
An inquest concluded in February 2026 that he had taken his own life. Medical evidence showed he had ingested alcohol and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL). The jury determined his death followed an accumulation of factors linked to prolonged depression, career loss and emotional strain.
The BBC said several factors contributed to how Windsor felt at the time and extended condolences to his loved ones, adding that it continues to invest in mental health support for programme participants.
Career Rise and Sudden Exit
Born in Ipswich in 1979, Windsor built an international dance career before joining Strictly in 2010. He toured globally with Burn the Floor, earning recognition for his dynamic ballroom and Latin performances.
On Strictly, he partnered celebrities including Anita Dobson, Patsy Kensit, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden. Known for his energy and warmth, he became a familiar face on British television between 2010 and 2013.
But after the injury and his exit from the show, the momentum of his career stalled. Evidence later presented at the inquest revealed he struggled with long-term depression, financial strain, recurring relationship heartbreak and a deep vulnerability to professional rejection.
Legacy and Industry Impact
Robin Windsor is remembered as a gifted dancer who brought charisma and professionalism to British television. His death has intensified discussion about duty of care, safeguarding at industry events and the mental health support available to performers facing sudden career change.
If you or someone you know is struggling, contacting a local crisis support service or mental health professional can provide immediate support.
