Like all Strictly fans, we were shocked and deeply saddened to hear the recent news of Robin Windsor’s death. Robin danced for four years as a Pro between 2010 and 2013 and also took part in a number of Strictly specials between 2011 and 2015 including Christmas shows as well as a charity special for Comic Relief.

In his tribute Anton du Beke, who knew Robin for more than twenty-five years, described him as “always a star”; despite being one of the calmer and quieter Pros – who loved having fun but was happy to let his celebrity partners do most of the talking – we completely agree with Anton and here we highlight just some of the times Robin shone super bright like the brilliant star he was.

Robin & Patsy Kensit: Series 8, 2010

Patsy was Robin’s first partner on the show in Series 8 (2010) and after a decidedly wobbly “dodgy waltz” in Week 1 they made it all the way to Week 9 when they lost out in a public vote to Gavin Henson & Katya.

Patsy described in an interview at the time how Robin was putting her to task with the training; she loved working with him and attributed her two-stone weight loss during the show to him, saying “it’s Robin’s work and it is incredible.”

Our highlight is their Week 7 Viennese Waltz – a charming and confident, charismatic performance which Len gave a 9; comparing her to ‘sparkling champagne’, you can see Patsy’s emotional response to the judges’ comments. Robin’s calm, elegant and always understated partnering really allowed Patsy to shine here and it’s beautiful to watch.

Robin & Anita Dobson: Series 9, 2011

In his second season, Robin was paired with actress Anita Dobson and they quickly became known as team ‘Dobbin’, and their supporters (us included) became ‘Dobinettes’. As with Patsy previously, Team Dobbin were enjoying moving onwards and upwards most weeks in terms of their scores and performances until Robin picked up an injury in Week 7 and had to stand down. Anita was then partnered by Brendan Cole and things went downhill until they were eliminated in Week 9 by public vote after dancing a Cha Cha Cha.

Would Anita have met the same fate with Robin? We think not – and the clips of Anita proudly sporting the L-plates Robin had bought her in the training room highlights both Robin’s sense of fun as well as what a supportive and special partnership these two made.

It was dancing the Argentine Tango with Anita in Week 7 that Robin received his highest ever Strictly score in a main Series (33, with 9s from Len and Bruno), although surprisingly this still saw them in the bottom 2 (though 13 points above Audley & Natalie who went home). The routine was a hit with the judges – Len felt they got the “mood and atmosphere” of the dance right and Craig absolutely loved it even though he felt Anita was not completely following Robin’s lead. Do you agree?

Robin & Lisa Riley: Series 10, 2012

Lisa and Robin opened Series 10 in 2012 with a fun, cheeky Cha Cha Cha setting the tone for their effervescent partnership, scoring 30 points and topping the Leaderboard for the first and only time. It wasn’t only the sequins that sparkled – the pair were completely joyful – and the routine ends on an unexpected high with Robin jumping into Lisa’s arms. Craig told Lisa “you can dance” and it was a sign of what was to come as they were to dance spectacularly all the way to the Semi-Final, losing out to Denise Van Outen & James in the dance-off.

Len called Lisa “the people’s champion” and there’s no doubt this was an extra special Strictly partnership – which was decided upon at the last minute due to the couple’s ‘connection’ during the preparation sessions. Lisa described how getting switched last minute from the planned partnership with Artem to Robin was a little bit of ‘Strictly magic’, and it was with Lisa that Robin had his greatest Strictly success (in a main Series) reaching the Semi-Final.

Their Week 7 Samba to ‘Car Wash’ – performed at the Wembley Arena ‘Dance Through the Decades’ show – was a storming success. Lisa owned the dance (and Robin loved letting her), which was slick and sassy, and ended with her doing the splits (to the audience’s surprise and Robin’s clear delight).

Robin spoke at the time with typical honesty about how Lisa had blown away all his own misconceptions – having assumed initially they would be a bit of a novelty act – he said his partnership with Lisa “made me a better person”. The love and joy in their friendship and their dancing was plain to see and shone a spotlight on the power of dance to unite and connect us all in ways that go far beyond judges’ comments or leaderboard scores.

Robin & Deborah Meaden: Series 11, 2013

In his last Series, Robin was paired with Dragon Deborah Meaden from Dragon’s Den and so was tasked with making the ballroom and not the boardroom her new home. He succeeded, of course and another strong friendship was forged. At the devastating news of Robin’s death last week, Deborah described how Robin “lit up a room with his fun and energy” and also revealed how Robin had taught her mother to dance for her 80^th birthday party where they “whirled around the floor”.

Robin and Deborah danced through to Week 5, where they lost out in a dance off to Patrick & Anya (who went on to the Semi-Final). Our highlight from their journey is their Week 2 Cha Cha Cha. The opening moves – where Deborah throws a Strictly newspaper at Craig telling him she needs “A little respect” – brought a smile to all the judges’ faces (even Craig’s) and again spotlights Robin’s sense of fun, plus they both looked absolutely sensational in shocking pink.

Robin & Susanna Reid: 2011 Children in Need SCD Champions

Along with the main shows, Robin shared his sparkle in five Strictly specials between 2011 and 2015, during which he not only scored a perfect 40 but also got to lift a Strictly Glitterball too!

When 3 of the 4 judges picked Robin and Susanna as their winners from a group Cha Cha Cha performed with other newsreaders, the pair lifted the Pudsey Bear Glitterball trophy. This performance is also notable for a special appearance made by Angela Rippon, which saw Robin being the first Pro to show off Angela’s now famous leg extensions. Definitely worth a watch!

Robin & Sara Cox: 2013 Strictly Christmas Special

Len described Sara and Robin’s Waltz to Silent Night as ‘truly wonderful’ and Bruno was surprised that the “rock ‘n’ roll girl turned into a Christmas angel”. It certainly was an elegantly choreographed routine complimented by a graceful performance and beautiful costumes, though Sara confessed to finding the experience quite stressful. Their score of 33 saw them placed joint 4th, losing out to Rufus Hound & Flavia.

Robin & Lisa Riley: 2014 Strictly Christmas Special

After Semi-Final success two years previously, Strictly fans cheered when Robin and Lisa were reunited for the Christmas show as the Tin Man and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, dancing a Jive to ‘Step into Christmas’.

Their routine scored 32 points, matching their highest score from Series 10 and placed them fourth. Make-up did a fantastic job here of transforming Robin into the Tin Man with silver face paint; though he never needed face paint in order to shine.

Robin & Alison Hammond: 2015 Strictly Christmas Special

Alison had danced with Aljaž in Series 12, 2014 and returned here to dance a Hansel and Gretel themed Cha Cha Cha with Robin to ‘Celebration’ by Kool and the Gang. A score of 31 saw them bottom of the leaderboard, but it has a fun, feelgood factor that is such a trademark of Robin’s performances and reminds us all that having fun is what dancing should be about!

Robin & Anna Kennedy: 2015 The People’s Strictly for Comic Relief

As far as Robin’s appearances in Strictly specials goes, we’ve saved the best for last. In 2015, six non-celebrity contestants were chosen from inspirational figures around the country to compete for the People’s Strictly Champion, voted for by the public to raise funds for Comic Relief.

Robin was partnered with Anna Kennedy, OBE a campaigner who works to improve education and services for those with autism and other neurodiverse conditions. Together they danced a wonderfully fluent, fast-paced Charleston jam-packed with perfectly performed quintessential Charleston sequences, and cheekily finished the routine dancing on the judges’ table. Robin’s elation at a job superbly done is evident, and they were awarded a most deserved perfect score.

This very special and unique routine is our favourite of all the late, great Robin Windsor’s brilliant Strictly performances – which one, we wonder, is yours?

Photo credits: BBC embeddable video thumbnails from YouTube