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The stars of the ballroom dancing world will say their final farewell to Strictly dancer Robin Windsor on Tuesday – and mourners have been asked to bring a rainbow umbrella.
The funeral, which will be held in his home town of Ipswich, will be a “colourful celebration of his life” and will feature “beautiful and emotional dance performances”.
Celebrities such as Susanna Reid, Lisa Riley and Kristina Rhianoff are expected to attend, as well as their latest professional dancer, Gordana Grandosek.
A friend of the late Windsor, who was found dead in a London hotel earlier this month aged 44, said: “Robin was so loved.” The outpouring of grief that followed the tragic news of his death demonstrated how much it meant to everyone in his life.
“He was always an extraordinary character, funny, but always very open and honest about everything that was happening.
The stars of the ballroom dancing world will say their final farewell to Strictly dancer Robin Windsor on Tuesday – and mourners have been asked to bring a rainbow umbrella.
Details of how he died have yet to be revealed, but he spoke openly about his struggles with his mental health and had been in a dark place before leaving London.
‘His greatest love was dancing, so when they started planning his funeral everyone agreed that there had to be a performance that was a beautiful tribute to everything he achieved in his career.
“It’s going to be a very emotional day, but everyone wants to make Robin proud.”
Shortly before her death, Windsor spent time in South Africa, where she performed on a luxury cruise with Grandosek, a Slovenian ballroom dancing star.
Details of how he died have yet to be revealed, but he spoke openly about his struggles with his mental health and had been in a dark place before leaving London and was postponing his return.
He told a friend he did not want to return home to the UK after an undisclosed incident over the New Year period.
Windsor was booted from Strictly in 2013 after injuring his back while doing a lift at a party in Blackpool where the show films during each series.
Following his death, Kristina Rihanoff, his close friend and former Strictly co-star, suggested he may have taken his own life.
She wrote on Facebook: ‘There are no words to express the pain.
Following his death, Kristina Rihanoff, his close friend and former Strictly co-star, suggested he may have taken his own life.
The professional Latin and ballroom dancer, pictured in October last year, was found dead in a London hotel aged 44.
Robin was previously in a relationship with Marcus Collins, right, an X-Factor finalist whose mentor is Gary Barlow; The couple had planned to marry but separated in 2015.
‘Robin wasn’t just my dance partner, he was a friend and together we shared countless experiences, from the highlights of our careers to hitting rock bottom with rejection.
‘Many of you who attended his farewell tour are well aware that he spoke very openly about his mental health issues and suicidal thoughts.
“I’m sure it was devastating for anyone who loved Robin to hear that, but those thoughts were in his head for many years… Too much pain, too much disappointment, too much neglect.”
For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.