Dr Anna Kennedy OBE has paid tribute to friend and former dance partner Robin Windsor, following his sudden death aged 44.
On Tuesday morning, it was announced that the former Strictly Come Dancing professional had died after being found in a hotel room in London.
Burn the Floor, a dance company in which he was one of the founding members, released a statement confirming the news.
In a social media post shared in the early hours, a statement posted by the group read: "The Burn the Floor family has lost one of its founding members, Robin "Bobby" Windsor - who has tragically passed away.
"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."
Anna Kennedy paid emotional tribute to former Strictly star Robin Windsor
GB News / BBC
Tributes poured in for the star, including former professional partner Kristina Rihanoff, who detailed Windsor's battles with his mental health following a major back injury, which secured his exit from the BBC dancing show.
Taking to Instagram, Rihanoff penned a lengthy statement in which she opened up on Windsor's "depression and broken self-worth" prior to his death.
Rihanoff said there are "no words" to express her "pain and devastation" of his loss, and the paid had shared "endless experiences" in their careers, including the "rock bottom of rejection".
Dr Anna Kennedy OBE, founder of the UK Autism Anna Kennedy Online charity, told GB News of her friendship with Windsor after being paired with the dancer on BBC's People's Strictly for Comic Relief in 2015.
Kennedy also revealed that the 44-year-old had "suffered with his mental health", but always remained a positive figure in her life.
Kennedy and Windsor danced together on the People's Strictly for Comic Relief in 2015
BBC / Strictly Come Dancing
Kennedy told hosts Isabel Webster and Eamonn Holmes: "We became really good friends. He taught me what fun was again, because I'm so focused on what I do with the charity and I'm campaigning continuously.
"We had so much fun. He supported the charity, he came to lots of different events. He was a genuinely nice, lovely guy."
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Eamonn responded to Kennedy's thoughts, highlighting: "What's particularly poignant about that is he's saying you've got to have fun doing it, but he may not have been practicing what he was preaching."
Kennedy agreed, claiming: "Maybe not, but I think dance was his escapism like it was for me when I was with him for the three months.
"There's a lot of people that are struggling at the moment with everything that's going on in this uncertain world, and you've got just got to speak to somebody."
Strictly Come Dancing also took to social media to express their sympathy for Windsor's loss, and that everyone at the show is "deeply saddened" by his loss.
Anna Kennedy said Windsor had 'suffered with his mental health'
GB News
A spokesperson said: "He was not only an exceptionally talented dancer and choreographer but also a caring, considerate and kind person both on and off the dance floor.
"Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this extremely difficult time."
A cause of death for the star has not yet been confirmed.
