Friends and family to remember Strictly star Robin Windsor at private Ipswich funeral
"He could get the very best out of people"
Last updated 26th Mar 2024
A private funeral for former Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor will be held in his home town of Ipswich, Suffolk today.
The 44-year-old dancer, who was paired with various celebrities from 2010 to 2013 on the main show - including Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden - will be laid to rest this afternoon.
Marjorie Wallace is from mental health charity SANE, which Robin was an ambassador for.
She's going to the funeral and tells us he had one very special request for his send off: "We were told what we wanted was for everyone to wear the brightest colours possible, so I['m going to my wardrobe and finding a brilliant scarf, and I'm putting ribbons on my boots.
"I think it's a wonderful thing to do to remember Robin."
She shared her best memories of the dancer: "He could get the very best out of people and somehow translate those feeling of joy, happiness and style into other people...
"I remember once just dancing up and down a corridor with him and it made me feel like a little girl again!
"He did that with so many other people too... everyone in our office was so happy when he was there."
Windsor also danced with model Patsy Kensit, actresses Anita Dobson and Lisa Riley on the BBC One series.
For the Christmas specials, he was partnered with The Great British Bake Off host Alison Hammond in 2015, and BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox.
Susanna Reid took part in 2011's Children In Need special with the Latin and ballroom dancer.
Windsor's death was announced in February and Strictly's team paid tribute, saying they were "deeply saddened" by the loss of their "dear friend".
According to his website, he began dancing at the age of three when his parents enrolled him in classes in Ipswich and he went on to represent England in numerous championships at home and abroad.
Windsor also appeared in the stage shows Come What May, a tribute to Moulin Rouge, and Burn The Floor.
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