Former Strictly Come Dancing star Robin ‘Bobby’ Windsor has died aged 44.
A professional Latin and Ballroom dancer, he danced on the BBC show between 2010 and 2015, and was partnered with celebrities Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, Lisa Riley and Deborah Meaden.
Image: Windsor in 2021. Pic: PA
He also performed with Susanna Reid in 2011’s Children In Need special and This Morning host Alison Hammond in the 2015 Christmas Special.
He had most recently appeared in stage show Come What May, a tribute to Moulin Rouge.
His death was announced on the official Facebook page of Burn The Floor – a dance company he founded in 1997.
They said he would leave “a void in our hearts that will never be filled”.
Their statement read: “The Burn the Floor (BTF) family has lost one of its founding members, Robin “Bobby” Windsor – who has tragically passed away.
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“A BTF journeyman he danced with us for twenty years – including Broadway, The West End and all our crazy adventures around the world.”
The post was accompanied by a photo of him dancing with Australian ballroom dancer Jessica Raffa, which the message said, “defined our company, colourful, extreme and sensual”.
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It went on: “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.”
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His agent, Sisco Entertainment, also posted a statement on social media, praising his “vibrant spirit” and “infectious energy and warmth”.
They wrote: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the tragic passing of our beloved friend, Robin Windsor.
“Robin’s presence in Come What May was more than just a performance; it was an embodiment of passion, grace, and sheer talent.
“His extraordinary ability to express emotion through movement captivated audiences, leaving them spellbound with every step.
“Beyond his impeccable dancing, Robin’s vibrant spirit lit up the room, infusing rehearsals and performances with infectious energy and warmth.
“His laughter was contagious, his kindness boundless. His friendship was a gift cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Robin, you will be deeply missed.
Image: Windsor and Aliona Vilani in 2013. Pic: PA
Image: Windsor with Kristina Rihanoff in 2013. Pic: PA
“Though Come What May will continue without you, your legacy will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to share in your light.”
Strictly co-star James Jordan also paid tribute, remembering Windsor as “very caring and fun”.
Jordan, who performed on Strictly from 2006 until 2013, wrote on Instagram: “I had the pleasure of working with this man for many years on Strictly – I have such fond memories of him.
“He was always very caring and fun to be around. Everyone who came in contact with him adored him, from his celebrity partners to his working colleagues.
“You will be missed old friend.”
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Windsor, who was born in Suffolk, first began dancing at the age of three when his parents enrolled him in classes in Ipswich, according to his website.
He went on to represent England in numerous championships, both on the domestic and international levels.
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.
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Windsor got his TV break on Strictly in 2010, performing on the hit dance show until 2014 when he was forced to pull out of the series due to a slipped disc which left him paralysed for four days.
While never winning the Glitterball Trophy, he reached seventh place with both 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.
Austria has won Eurovision 2025, with Austrian-Filipino singer-songwriter JJ taking the glass microphone.
The 24-year-old singer, who originally trained as a countertenor, represented his country with his operatic ballad Wasted Love, staged on a storm-tossed ship.
The song, which was not dissimilar to that of last year’s winner Nemo, told the story of unrequited love, with a techno breakdown near the end. Austria has won Eurovision twice before, the last time in 2014 with Conchita Wurst’s pop hit Rise Like A Phoenix.
Image: JJ singing Wasted Love for Austria. Pic: Reuters
Israel’s Yuval Raphael, who survived the October 7, 2023, attacks which were the catalyst for Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, was the runner-up with piano ballad New Day Will Rise, performed in Hebrew, French and English.
The singer was left “shaken and upset,” after two pro-Palestinian protesters rushed towards her during her grand final performance.
Organisers confirmed a backstage crew member was hit with paint but was not hurt.
A spokesman for SRG SSR said: “At the end of the Israeli performance, a man and a woman tried to get over a barrier onto the stage.
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“They were stopped. One of the two agitators threw paint and a crew member was hit. The crew member is fine and nobody was injured. The man and the woman were taken out of the venue and handed over to the police.”
Israel has won Eurovision four times, and last year finished in fifth place with Eden Golan’s Hurricane.
Image: Yuval Raphael performs New Day Will Rise for Israel. Pic:AP
Just as the grand final began broadcasting, Spanish broadcaster shared a message of Palestinian support which read: “When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option. Peace and justice for Palestine.”
The broadcaster had already received a warning from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over political statements reported by Israeli broadcaster Kan.
The EBU said in response to the latter incident: “We can confirm that we have spoken to RTVE regarding this matter and made it clear that commentators are expected to maintain neutrality within the broadcasts of the Eurovision Song Contest.”
During the evening, there were also pro-Palestinian protests near the centre of Basel, as well as a small group nearby protesting with Israeli flags.
Israeli National Security Council had issued a warning to Israeli civilians in the city to keep a low profile during the competition.
In a change from last year’s contest in Malmo, Sweden, the ban on certain flags being waved by the audience was relaxed which meant Palestinian symbols could be seen in the arena.
Image: Remember Monday perform What The Hell Just Happened for the UK. Pic: AP
The UK’s act – country pop trio Remember Monday – who performed in colourful Bridgerton-style outfits – avoided the dreaded “nul points”, coming in at 19th place with song What The Hell Just Happened?
However, for the second year running, the UK received no points in the public score.
The UK has had five wins at Eurovision, but in recent years have struggled to rank, with the exception being Sam Ryder with Space Man in 2022, who came second.
Last year, Olly Alexander placed 18th at Malmo, and Mae Muller was second to last the previous year in Liverpool.
The Eurovision grand final took place in the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, Switzerland, with the winner from among the 26 performing nations decided by a mix of public voting and points from national juries.
The four-hour-long show was presented by an all-female team – stand-up comedian Hazel Brugger, TV presenter Michelle Hunziker and Eurovision veteran Sandra Studer.
There were performances by previous Eurovision runners-up Croatia’s Baby Lasagna and Finland’s Kaarija, as well as last year’s winner Nemo during the night.
Image: KAJ perform Bara Bada Bastu for Sweden. Pic: AP
Sweden had been widely tipped to win with their sauna-themed entry Bara Bada Bastu (Just Sauna), but ended up coming fourth.
Ukraine, who have made a strong showing each since they first entered the competition in 2003, and who won in 2023, came ninth.
Last year protests and politics overshadowed the singing event amid the outbreak of war in Gaza, with some calling for Israel to be kicked out of the contest.
Last year also saw Dutch singer Joost Klein kicked out of the competition by the EBU over alleged verbal threats to a female production worker, which he denied.
Next year’s competition, Eurovision’s 70th, will be held in Austria.
A second man has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent after an incident at a London nightclub that allegedly involved US singer Chris Brown.
The Metropolitan Police said Omololu Akinlolu, 38, will appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
Better known by his stage name HoodyBaby, the American rapper has been charged in connection with an alleged assault at the Tape nightclub in central London in February 2023.
Brown, 36, was charged on Thursday with grievous bodily harm with intent and was remanded in custody by judge in Manchester until 13 June.
He is accused of attacking music producer Abraham Diaw with a bottle during the incident in February.
During a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, Brown watched intently as brief details of the case against him were outlined by prosecutor Hannah Nicholls.
She accused Brown of committing “an unprovoked attack with a weapon in a nightclub full of people”.
Brown spoke to confirm his name and date of birth, but did not enter a plea.
He will appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing in London on 13 June.
Brown – known for hits such as “Loyal”, “Run It” and “Under the Influence” – was arrested at a hotel in Manchester in the early hours of Thursday by detectives from the Metropolitan Police.
The Grammy Award-winning singer was due to tour the UK in June and July, with dates in Manchester, Cardiff, London, Glasgow and Birmingham.