The Strictly stars we've loved and lost: After dancer Robin Windsor's shock death is revealed, a loo

August 2024 · 8 minute read

Strictly Come Dancing stars have delighted millions of viewers for the last 20 years – but away from the glitz, glamour and romance, there has also been tragedy.

Today, it was announced that former Strictly star ‘Bobby’ Windsor – who performed on the ballroom show between 2010 and 2015 – has died suddenly at the age of 44.

Over the years, the ‘extremely talented’ professional Latin and Ballroom dancer partnered up with model Patsy Kensit, EastEnders legend Anita Dobson, Loose Woman Lisa Riley and Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden.

Tributes have poured in since Robin’s death was announced, including from an emotional Susanna Reid, who danced with the star on Strictly for Children in Need in 2011.

After Robin’s shock death, MailOnline has looked back at some of the other stars of the programme that we have loved and lost over the years…

Former Strictly Come Dancing Star Robin 'Bobby' Windsor - known for his appearances on the show between 2010 and 2015 - has died suddenly at the age of 44. He is pictured here dancing with Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden

Former Strictly Come Dancing Star Robin ‘Bobby’ Windsor – known for his appearances on the show between 2010 and 2015 – has died suddenly at the age of 44. He is pictured here dancing with Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden

Robin 'Bobby' Windsor's death was tragically announced today. Tributes have poured in since

Robin ‘Bobby’ Windsor’s death was tragically announced today. Tributes have poured in since

Len Goodman 

As one of Strictly Come Dancing’s most legendary judges, it was no surprise that Len Goodman’s death last April sparked an outpouring of grief – including from Queen Camilla.

The much-loved head judge died in April 2023 at the age of 78 following a battle with bone cancer. He was surrounded by his family and friends before he passed away in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Camilla who had danced with Len during a celebratory tea dance at the Victory Services Club in London in 2019 and is known to be a fan of Strictly, ‘was saddened to hear the news’, Buckingham Palace said at the time.  

Bethnal Green-born Len appeared on the popular show from its launch in May 2004 until 2016, while he also appeared on the US version, Dancing With The Stars, from 2005 until 2022. 

‘It’s a 10 from Len!’, possibly became his most famous catchphrase and he also made viewers laugh with his phrases ‘You floated across the floor like butter on a crumpet’, and ‘That was a mango of a tango – delicious!’

He became a national treasure after auditioning for Strictly Come Dancing aged 60, when most people might be looking to retire. 

Strictly host Tess Daly led tributes to her co-star at the time of his death, with a reference to his catchphrase ‘seven!’. 

In a heartfelt tribute, she said: ‘You were never a seven for me, Len you were always a ten.’

And judge Anton Du Beke paid tribute to his ‘dear friend of nearly 45 years’, calling him a ‘national treasure’.

Len goodman joined Strictly when it launched in 2004 and was a constant figure on the show until 2016

Len goodman joined Strictly when it launched in 2004 and was a constant figure on the show until 2016

The much-loved Strictly Come Dancing judge had been in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells in Kent following a short illness before his death

The much-loved Strictly Come Dancing judge had been in a hospice in Tunbridge Wells in Kent following a short illness before his death

Len Goodman, aged 25, dancing with Cherry Kingston in 1970. He would later marry Cherry but they divorced after 15 years of marriage

Len Goodman, aged 25, dancing with Cherry Kingston in 1970. He would later marry Cherry but they divorced after 15 years of marriage

Len Goodman, aged 25, dancing with Cherry Kingston in 1970. He would later marry Cherry but they divorced after 15 years of marriage

Caroline Flack 

Love Island star Caroline Flack wowed Strictly fans with her sublime dancing in 2014 – and left a lasting legacy. 

The former X Factor presenter threw her hat in the ring for Strictly just a year before she landed her role as Love Island host.  

She was an instant hit on the show and was crowned Strictly champion with partner Pasha Kovalev. 

Caroline showed great rhythm, flexibility and agility and landed a perfect score of 120 points from the judging panel. 

Pasha Kovalev and Caroline Flack after they were crowned winners of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014

Pasha Kovalev and Caroline Flack after they were crowned winners of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014

Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev are pictured dancing on the show and they went on to win it

Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev are pictured dancing on the show and they went on to win it

Tragically, the TV star was found dead in her flat in North London in February 2020 at the age of 40. She had taken her own life six years after winning Strictly. 

Her death came the day after hearing that the Crown Prosecution Service would go ahead with a trial for allegedly attacking her model boyfriend and former tennis player Lewis Burton in December 2019.  

Caroline’s death was ruled a suicide in an inquest in August 2020.

After news of her death, judge Bruno Tonioli said: ‘She really was a joy. We will always love Caroline and we will never forget her.’

Bruce Forsyth 

Sir Bruce Forsyth was a Strictly Come Dancing icon and the host on the show until 2014. 

The biggest stars of British showbusiness came together to celebrate his extraordinary life after his death at the age of 89 in 2017. 

Bruce’s career in the entertainment industry spanned 70 years and started long before he became the frontman on the BBC show. 

His catchphrases which included ‘Nice to see you, to see you, nice, ‘Didn’t they do well?’ and ‘You’re my favourites!’ became legendary. 

Bruce, who died of pneumonia, co-hosted the show along with Tess Daley who he liked to call ‘Miss Sunshine’.

Before his death, Bruce had not been seen in public for some time before his death due to ill health. 

Bruce was unable to attend the funerals of close friends Ronnie Corbett and Sir Terry Wogan in 2016.

After news broke of his death, Tess Daly described him as a ‘true legend’ and ‘gentleman’.

Sir Bruce Forsyth was a Strictly Come Dancing icon and the host on the show until 2014

Sir Bruce Forsyth was a Strictly Come Dancing icon and the host on the show until 2014

She said: ‘From the moment we met, Bruce and I did nothing but laugh our way through a decade of working together on Strictly Come Dancing and I will never forget his generosity, his brilliant sense of humour and his drive to entertain.

‘He was a gentleman and a true legend and I will miss him deeply. My heart goes out to Winnie, his wife, and his beautiful family at this sad time.’

His former Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman added: ‘He was the King of TV, the Prince of performers and the most generous of people, all toe-tapping twinkle, all kindness, all love. The Bruce you saw really was the man he was. We’ll miss him so much.’

BBC Director-General at the time Tony Hall called Sir Bruce ‘one of the greatest entertainers our country has ever known’. 

Willie Thorne 

Professional snooker player and funnyman Willie Thorne was part of the Strictly Come Dancing line-up in 2007. 

He was up against stiff competition which included Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon and Gethin Jones and Matt Di Angelo. 

Willie finished in 12th place and partnered Latin ballroom professional Erin Boag. 

He died in 2020 at the age of 66 after being diagnosed with leukaemia. He passed away in hospital in Spain after suffering ‘septic shock’ following respiratory failure.

Erin paid tribute to her former dance partner on social media, writing: ‘I have truly wonderful memories of the time I spent with him.

‘I feel honoured to have danced with this great man.’

Willie Thorne finished in 12th place and partnered Latin ballroom professional Erin Boag

Willie Thorne finished in 12th place and partnered Latin ballroom professional Erin Boag 

Willie became a snooker pro in 1976 aged 21 and went on to reach two World Championship quarter-finals, winning his only ranking title – the Mercantile Credit Classic – in 1985. 

He became popularly known as Mr Maximum for holding the record for the most maximum 147 breaks.

He starred as part of snooker’s ‘Matchroom Mob’ and went on to become a BBC and Sky commentator.

Gary Rhodes 

TV chef Gary Rhodes appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2008 with partner Karen Hardy.

Gary fronted several TV shows including Rhodes Across India, MasterChef, MasterChef USA, Hell’s Kitchen, and Rhodes Around Britain, was one of Britain’s best-loved chefs.

In 2006 he was made an OBE and two years later appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

He sadly passed away suddenly at his home in Dubai in 2019 at the age of 59. 

Gary’s family revealed at the time that Gary had returned home in a ‘very happy mood’ but collapsed and died due to subdural haematoma.

His Strictly partner Karen paid tribute to him, saying: ‘I am truly speechless and lost for words but my heart and thoughts go out to his beautiful family at this time.’ 

TV chef Gary Rhodes (pictured with Karen Hardy on Strictly) passed away suddenly at his home in Dubai in 2019

TV chef Gary Rhodes (pictured with Karen Hardy on Strictly) passed away suddenly at his home in Dubai in 2019

 Paul Daniels 

Paul Daniels joined the Strictly Come Dancing line-up in 2010 at the age of 71.

The magician partnered professional dancer Ola Jordan, and despite only being in the competition for a few weeks, he certainly made his mark on the show. 

Paul was known for The Paul Daniels Magic Show which he starred in alongside his wife and assistant Debbie McGee. 

Paul Daniels joined the Strictly Come Dancing line-up in 2010 at the age of 71

Paul Daniels joined the Strictly Come Dancing line-up in 2010 at the age of 71

The magician passed away at home in Berkshire in March 2016 after a brain tumour diagnosis less than a month earlier. 

A year later, his wife Debbie joined the Strictly line-up herself in memory of her husband. 

Debbie was a hit on the show and made the final along with her partner Giovanni Pernice.  

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