Ipswich dancing star Robin Windsor has been told he will remain part of the Strictly Come Dancing “family” despite his axe from the celebrity ballroom show, it can be revealed.
The 35-year-old admitted he was “disappointed” he was not recalled to Strictly after missing last year’s show with a serious back injury which prompted fears he would never dance again.
He recovered from surgery and hoped to win the Glitterball this year in what would have been his sixth series.
But Strictly producers announced last month that the former Copleston High School student, along with Iveta Lukosiute and Trent Whiddon, would be replaced by three new professional dancers.
Robin said: “I am obviously disappointed. I had a tough year with my back last year and I guess I was hoping to be back this year but the producers have decided otherwise.
“I will miss everything from the show. I’ll miss the fake tan, the sparkles, the Saturday night –l love turning up on Saturday night to the studio and just being in that amazing atmosphere because it’s electrifying.
“Being on Strictly was absolutely amazing. The two jobs I love to dance and perform and teach. I have thoroughly enjoyed every single second of being on the show and most importantly I have met some incredible people.
“People that I have only dreamt about or seen on TV and all of a sudden these people are my friends and you realist at the end of the day that everyone is just normal and they do their own jobs.
“I have got my best friend Lisa Riley and if I hadn’t done the show we would have never had met and have this wonderful relationship that we have together.”
But despite the snub, Robin insists he still supports the show and said he could return for some Strictly Come Dancing specials.
He said: “It is a possibility that I might do the Christmas special, Children in Need and maybe some bits and pieces on It Takes Two. They have said to me that I will always remain part of our Strictly family.
“I will always be there. I am like a bad smell. I ain’t going anywhere! I think I have built a great relationship with everyone on the show over the years and I will always be in full support of the show.
“I remember five years ago I was a new face replacing some very popular people and it took a while for everybody to adjust to me being in the show, so I hope everyone gives the new three people all the support they need.”
Asked if he could ever return to the main show, he said: “Never say never, but as of yet, nobody has ever returned once they’ve left. I have been there for five years and it is time to move on. I was hoping for one more year but it has given me this big lift to get my butt into gear and see what is next.
“I had five incredible years on the show. It was amazing. It has given me an incredible platform to move on from and the door is now wide open for me to do whatever I want which is absolutely fantastic because now I have got loads of opportunities.
“I can now do whatever I want. It has given me a huge profile. It is up to me I guess to choose wisely what I do with it.”
Robin is set to tour with fellow Strictly star Kristina Rihanoff in Puttin’ on the Ritz this summer.
And people can also get taught how to dance by Robin himself at a ‘Ballroom for Beginners’ class at the Ipswich School of Dancing in Bond Street on Sunday, May 31.
There are two classes starting at 7pm and 8.30pm. Tickets cost £22 per person.
Robin is also teaching ballroom at the Langham Community Centre in north-east Essex this month. See our video above.
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