The late Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Robin Windsor left a suicide note in which he said his treatment by the BBC ‘destroyed’ him.
The 44-year-old was found dead in a London hotel in February 2024. An inquest has now heard that two letters were found near his body.
Windsor did not participate in the BBC show from 2014 onwards, after bosses reportedly did not ask him back following a back injury, which required surgery to remove a disc.
The late professional dancer competed on the hit series for three years from 2010, partnering with celebrities Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden.
His co-star Kristina Rihanoff reportedly cried as she told the hearing how Windsor ‘changed significantly’ after his back injury.
She described the BBC dance competition show as a ‘very lonely space with not much support’.
The first of two notes found in Windsor’s hotel room was addressed to a friend and was read out in the West London coroner’s court at the inquest this week, according to The Sun.
It read: ‘This all really started when I lost my job on Strictly and have been fighting it ever since.
‘The way they treated me destroyed me…It started me on the road I’m still on.
‘All I wanted from life was to be happy. I loved my job more than anyone else.’
Windsor went on to say it had ‘all gotten too much’, writing: ‘The heartache, the loneliness, the constant sadness.
‘I just live permanently in a dark place. I just can’t live like this anymore. It’s just too painful.
‘I had a good run, I’ve done some incredible things in my 44 years and had an unreal life doing what I loved, but all things must come to an end and my curtain has come down for the final time.’
The second note was addressed to his ex-boyfriend, actor Ollie Augustin, and reportedly read: ‘I need you to understand that this is not your fault!’
After his departure from Strictly, Windsor went on to perform with his Burn The Floor dance company, taking him to the West End and also abroad. He also taught dance lessons to beginners and offered classes to same-sex couples.
Fans and friends of Windsor paid tribute to the pro dancer after his death in 2024, with Susanna Reid holding back tears live on Good Morning Britain, and Emmerdale star Riley writing that her heart was ‘broken’.
The inquest continues.
Need support?
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Their HOPELINE247 is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. You can call 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org.
Metro contacted the BBC for comment.
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