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Robin Windsor heartbreakingly opened up on his mental health issues before his death in a video for a charity before he was found dead in a London hotel room on Monday.

The Strictly Come Dancing Star, 44, vanished last week before being found prompting an outpouring of grief across the dancing world, 

In the video for SANE, of which he was an ambassador, Robin is seen speaking to volunteers and opening up about his own struggles. 

He explained: ‘Once I spoke to someone who completely listened, they didn’t really have to give me advice, they just had to listen and I could see that they wanted me to be better. 

‘It’s picking the right person to speak to.’ 

Robin Windsor heartbreakingly opened up on his mental health issues before his death

Robin Windsor heartbreakingly opened up on his mental health issues before his death

In the video for SANE, of which he was an ambassador, Robin is seen speaking to volunteers and opening up about his own struggles

In the video for SANE, of which he was an ambassador, Robin is seen speaking to volunteers and opening up about his own struggles

Robin was found dead in a London hotel room on Monday (Pictured with friend Gordana Grandosek Whiddon)

Robin was found dead in a London hotel room on Monday (Pictured with friend Gordana Grandosek Whiddon)

Sharing the video, SANE paid tribute to Robin’s memory, writing: ‘We were very distressed to learn of the death of Robin Windsor, one of SANE’s most vigorous and loyal ambassadors. 

‘He brought the elegance, energy and sheer joy of his dancing into mental health and gave hope to those, like him, who have struggled with dark times.’ 

After Robin, who spoke out about his struggles with depression, went missing last week his close friend Vincent Simone frantically rang those close to the star to find out where he was. 

Vincent, who is also a dancer and 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.’

Robin, whose company's business account had £879 in it when he died, had recently been performing with Gordana on a Fred Olsen cruise to South Africa and Madagascar

Robin, whose company’s business account had £879 in it when he died, had recently been performing with Gordana on a Fred Olsen cruise to South Africa and Madagascar

The professional Latin and Ballroom dancer, 44, suffered a troubling incident over the New Year period, before embarking to perform on a luxurious cruise in South Africa. 

‘He kept saying that something had happened over New Year but he wouldn’t say what it was,’ the friend 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 have poured in underneath the star’s tragic 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. But the dancer’s smiles belied his emotional anguish. 

This week, the Mail revealed that Robin died with just £879 in his company’s business account years after he pulled in £100,000 a year as a Strictly star and was once paid £10,000 to dance for two minutes.

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

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

Robin Windsor got his big TV break when joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2010

Robin Windsor got his big TV break when joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 

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

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

The tragic entertainer’s own firm had not traded for some time and according to Companies House Records was facing an ‘active proposal’ to be struck off, records show.

The company Happy Feet Creative Limited was owed almost £5,000 the last time it filed accounts, but owed creditors £15,000, meaning it was £8,350 in the red.

At the height of his celebrity in 2015 and 2016 he held more than £23,000 in the company and advanced himself £35,000 from the company, which was repaid.

The company had channelled earnings from a ‘wide variety of contracts to provide performing arts services within the media industry’, paperwork said.

In recent months Robin had been working on a Fred Olsen Cruise – alongside fellow Strictly professional Gordana Grandosek Whiddon – and posted pictures of himself when the boat docked in South Africa.

He had previously been a director of Caffe Italia in south London, with close friend Marco Bertarini.

Saddened Bertarini has posted a series of pictures of the pair together on Instagram.

He wrote: ‘My heart is broken I always loved you and always will goodbye amore.’

A heartbroken Susanna Reid fought back tears on yesterday's Good Morning Britain on ITV after learning of Robin's death

A heartbroken Susanna Reid fought back tears on yesterday’s Good Morning Britain on ITV after learning of Robin’s death

More recently Robin had been starring in Come What May, a Moulin Rouge tribute show.

He previously told how he was paid £100,000 a year during his time on Strictly which came to an end after the 12th series in 2014.

He also recalled one time he earned ‘silly money’, telling This Is Money: ‘My dance partner and I were once paid £10,000 each to stay in a luxury resort in Mauritius for a week and dance the cha-cha-cha at an event. Our dance lasted two minutes.’

He remembered in September 2022 that the ‘best’ year of his financial life was 2010, ‘my first year on Strictly Come Dancing’.

He said: ‘All of a sudden, I was earning money I had only dreamt about. I probably made about £100,000 that year – not just from Strictly but from work off the back of the show such as the tour and private performances.

‘When you’re on prime-time TV, everyone wants a little slice of you.’

Speaking about his Strictly exit last year, Robin said he became so ‘bitter’ about not being allowed to return that he couldn’t bear to watch it.

‘I got to dance and show 13million people every single week what it was that I love to do. So, once that was taken away from me, I went into quite a steady decline.

‘I was sad. And, I know we all have our dark days, but my dark days turned into dark weeks and I wouldn’t get out of bed. I didn’t really understand why I was feeling like that or how to get out of that state’.

Robin Windsor had been spending some time in Cape Town when the cruise ship docked, writing online: 'This place is the distraction of all distractions.'

Robin Windsor had been spending some time in Cape Town when the cruise ship docked, writing online: ‘This place is the distraction of all distractions.’

Robin is pictured here three weeks ago in South Africa where he was dancing on a cruise ship travelling around the world

Robin is pictured here three weeks ago in South Africa where he was dancing on a cruise ship travelling around the world

Robin Windsor dazzles in a blue ensemble during his recent cruise ship travels

Robin Windsor dazzles in a blue ensemble during his recent cruise ship travels

The professional Latin and Ballroom dancer featured on the BBC show between 2010 and 2015, partnering with model Patsy Kensit, EastEnders legend Anita Dobson, Loose Woman Lisa Riley and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden.

The Suffolk-born star also performed with This Morning host Alison Hammond in the 2015 Christmas special.

And he was paired with TV presenter Susanna Reid on Strictly for Children in Need in 2011.

She fought back tears on ITV’s Good Morning Britain yesterday after learning of Robin’s death, telling viewers: ‘He was an absolutely remarkable dancer – strong, so creative, he was just so enthusiastic about dancing.

‘I just adored him. He was the most incredible personality. As soon as I danced with him there was something really special about it.’

He responded to a photo posted of on the ship with: 'Sooo lovely to meet you both'

He responded to a photo posted of on the ship with: ‘Sooo lovely to meet you both’

His last post on Instagram, a black and white selfie, was captioned 'hiding in the shadows'

His last post on Instagram, a black and white selfie, was captioned ‘hiding in the shadows’ 

He was found dead in a London hotel, it has emerged, as his friends detailed his battle against mental health struggles and thoughts of suicide.

On January 27, Robin had posed in front of a marina with Cape Town’s Table Mountain in the background with the caption: ‘This place is the distraction of all distractions!’

He looked happy as he took pictures of elephants on safari and relaxed in a lodge overlooking the stunning Leopard Mountain game reserve.

The dancer had also enjoyed a one-night stop in Mozambique and was seen relaxing on the beach and posing with a Lemur in Madagascar in the days beforehand.

But Robin’s last post on Instagram, shared to his 46,000 followers on January 28, was a more muted selfie in the near-dark with the caption: ‘Hiding in the shadows.’

Seven days earlier, the dancer had reposted a quote saying: ‘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 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.’

Robin was a co-founder and original member of dance show Burn The Floor, who announced the star’s shock death on their official website.

On January 14, Robin posted: 'Remember, when something goes wrong in the circus, they send in the clowns to distract the audience. Well, something has gone very wrong with this circus and the clowns are everywhere.'

On January 14, Robin posted: ‘Remember, when something goes wrong in the circus, they send in the clowns to distract the audience. Well, something has gone very wrong with this circus and the clowns are everywhere.’

On January 4, Robin 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.'

The dancer 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.'

On January 4 (left), Robin 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.’ On January 21, he hinted at trauma (right) by sharing a quote from Dr Thema Bryant

The professional Latin and Ballroom dancer was best known for his appearances on BBC 's Strictly Come Dancing for five years between 2010 and 2015

 The professional Latin and Ballroom dancer was best known for his appearances on BBC ‘s Strictly Come Dancing for five years between 2010 and 2015

Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor are pictured here during a Strictly Come Dancing launch event at the BBC Studios back in 2011

Kristina Rihanoff and Robin Windsor are pictured here during a Strictly Come Dancing launch event at the BBC Studios back in 2011

Their statement read: ‘Burn the Floor family has lost one of its founding members, Robin ‘Bobby’ Windsor – who has tragically passed away.

‘A BTF journeyman he danced with us for twenty years – including Broadway, The West End and all our crazy adventures around the world.

‘His stunning image attached with Jessica Raffa defined our company, colourful, extreme and sensual.

‘His talent, attitude, energy and personality helped create the Burn the Floor stage reputation. He leaves a void in our hearts that will never be filled, yet our wonderful memories will stay forever.’

Other messages included a post by former Strictly professional James Jordan, who wrote: ‘I had the pleasure of working with this man for many years on Strictly.

‘Everyone who came in contact with him adored him, from his celebrity partners to his working colleagues. You will be missed old friend.’

And Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood said Robin would be ‘forever missing’, describing him as ‘one of the kindest, gentle, honest, funny and caring people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with’.

Robin’s former boyfriend, X Factor singer Marcus Collins, said the world was now ‘a lot less sparkly’ after his death.

Robin Windsor was previously in a relationship with Marcus Collins, right, a X-Factor finallist mentored by Gary Barlow - the couple had planned to marry but split in 2015

Robin Windsor was previously in a relationship with Marcus Collins, right, a X-Factor finallist mentored by Gary Barlow – the couple had planned to marry but split in 2015

X-Factor star Marcus Collins, who shared this image of them together after Robin's death

X-Factor star Marcus Collins, who shared this image of them together after Robin’s death

In 2010, Robin's first year on Strictly, he danced with Patsy Kensit

In 2010, Robin’s first year on Strictly, he danced with Patsy Kensit

The following year he was partnered with EastEnders actress and singer Anita Dobson

The following year he was partnered with EastEnders actress and singer Anita Dobson

Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden and Robin Windsor are pictured performing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014

Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden and Robin Windsor are pictured performing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2014

Meanwhile, Gordana, 45, paid an emotional tribute to her late friend and shared exclusive photos of their last dance together in January. 

Addressing Robin, she said: ‘I can’t believe you are gone. You were the light, the rainbow, the sun, the warmth, the smile, energy, you were too fragile for this world.

‘You only wanted to be loved. I treasure our memories from the beginning to the end.

‘From Biloxi, Mississippi to New Orleans Mardi Gras to Japan Laundry, Broadway, the last 25th anniversary of Burn The Floor.

‘Endless parties. Oh how I don’t regret a single night partying and drinking with you while rehearsing and doing what we loved.

‘We all had so much fun. Late nights walking around, talking, laughing.

‘I was privileged to be next to you on the darkest nights, hugged you when you cried, and it seemed you got out of the shadows but you never did.

‘I tried so hard but it was not enough. We had an unforgettable cruise, last dance with you. I love you Bobby boy for ever.’

Baby Robin being held by his older sister as a child. He began dancing at the age of three

He began dancing at the age of three and was winning competitions in primary school

Baby Robin being held by his older sister as a child. He began dancing at the age of three and was winning competitions in primary school (right)

Robin as a teenager after he left Ipswich to become a dancer in London when he was 15

Robin as a teenager after he left Ipswich to become a dancer in London when he was 15

Robin as a teenager after he left Ipswich to become a dancer in London when he was 15

Robin Windsor attending the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012

Robin Windsor attending the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2012

The professional Latin and Ballroom dancer, pictured in October last year, has been found dead in a London hotel aged 44

 The professional Latin and Ballroom dancer, pictured in October last year, has been found dead in a London hotel aged 44

Robin got his TV break on Strictly in 2010 but was forced to pull out of the series in 2014 due to a slipped disc which left him paralysed for four days.

While he never won the Glitterball Trophy, he came seventh with both Patsy Kensit and Anita Dobson.

Robin appeared in Dancing With The Stars Australia and So You Think You Can Dance in the Netherlands and assisted in the choreography for the Australian version of So You Think You Can Dance, as well as acting as a motivational speaker.

He also took part in several theatre dance tours and also did several pantomime seasons to help make ends meet. 

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org 

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Post sourceDaily mail

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