Lisa Riley pays tribute to ‘vibrant’  Robin Windsor at LGBT Awards

Lisa Riley paid tribute to Strictly Come Dancing’s Robin Windsor in an emotional speech at The British LGBT Awards 2024 at The Brewery, in London on Friday.

Accepting the Posthumous Award on this behalf, the Emmerdale actress, 47, praised the ‘vibrant and energetic’ dancer who had a ‘zest for life.’

Beloved professional Latin and Ballroom star, Robin, featured on the BBC show between 2010-2013, partnering with Lisa during the 2012 series. 

Tragically, he was found dead in a hotel in London at the age of 44 in February, though his cause of death is yet to be revealed.

The annual event, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, works to champion the diverse achievements and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. 

During her emotional speech, obtained by the BBC, Lisa said: ‘Mental health in the gay community is really bad, and if I can help in any way… then I’ve done my bit. 

‘I wish he was here, he should be on my arm covered in sparkles and having a ball, but the energy he had is imprinted on my heart. He would be shining down and laughing at us.

‘His vibrancy, energy and zest for life was out there for everyone to see. He wasn’t a hidden gay man, he was a proud, proud gay man.’

The dancer died unexpectedly aged 44 in February. Shortly before his death, Windsor had spent time in South Africa where he performed on a luxurious cruise ship with Grandosek – a Slovenian ballroom star.

Details of how he died have not yet been disclosed but he spoke openly about his struggles with his mental health and he’d been in a dark place before leaving London and was putting off returning.

He told a friend that he didn’t want to come home to the UK following an undisclosed incident over the New Year period.

At the time, his aunt thanked fans and said: ‘The tributes have been a great comfort to myself and all the family on days when we needed it most.

‘He was out and living his best life, a proud gay man who wanted to be seen at his real self. When we look at this beautiful award, we’ll smile back and feel him closer.’

Robin, who started dancing at the age of three and was one of the founding members of dance show Burn The Floor, ‘lit up any room he walked into’, his representatives said as they confirmed his death.

They said the ‘dance world has lost some of its sparkle today’, adding: ‘He was a nurturing soul always full of fun.’

The British LGBT Awards celebrates the UK’s most loved LGBT personalities, innovators and companies, as well as the allies and organisations who support them. 

From the age of three, Windsor studied Latin and Ballroom and his talent and commitment to his vocation took him to the highest level of competition where he won numerous World Championships.

He joined the cast of show Burn The Floor in 2001 and toured the world for 10 years, with a nine-month run on Broadway.

He 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 Patsy Kensit and Anita Dobson.

Windsor also 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. 

Windsor’s representatives told MailOnline: ‘It is with deep sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of our beautiful Robin.

‘Robin’s dancing started from a very young age and never stopped. He lit up any room he walked into, he was a nurturing soul always full of fun.

‘Strictly Come Dancing, Burn the Floor and many other dance shows along with all the school children around the country who he gave his time. 

‘Robin was a strong advocate for mental health and worked closely with the ‘Sane Charity’. The dance world has lost some of its sparkle today. We ask for the family’s privacy at this very difficult time.’

Founder of Burn the Floor and friend of Winsor, Harley Medcalf, said: ‘We have lost a beautiful friend, Robin Windsor, Bobby, one of the founding members of the Burn the Floor family. 

‘Robin has passed away in England. A generous, extremely talented dancer, full of energy, life and love. 

‘His stage presence defined the Burn the Floor company. Whenever we visited London, Robin was always the first to call, always there to support, celebrate, laugh and cry together. 

‘In the photo attached a highly emotional Robin was just off stage after his last performance with Burn The Floor Reunion Tour in Birmingham in 2022.’

‘Our hearts are broken he will be greatly missed by all his friends, family and fans around the world.’