Strictly stars 'completely devastated' by Robin Windsor's death

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Brendan Cole and Erin Boag paid tribute on Good Morning Britain to the former Strictly pro Robin Windsor who died aged 44.

Windsor took our screens by storm when he joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2010. He was unable to return to Strictly in 2014 after a back injury and he had surgery on his back. During his years on the show, he made an impression on his fellow pros and celebrity partners as well as the audiences at home.

During Good Morning Britain, former Strictly Come Dancing stars Cole and Boag dialled in to speak to Susanna Reid and Ed Balls about the late star following the breaking news on Tuesday. They paid tribute saying they were "completely devastated" by the news.

What, how and why?

Cole first shared his heartache after hearing the news about Windsor. He also extended his sympathy to Susanna Reid who danced with the late star in the Strictly Children In Need 2011 special. He said: "It’s completely devastating."

He added: "Condolences to you Susanna, you danced with him on one of the specials. You must have spent a lot of time with him. Erin and I spent many many years on dance floor with him... So I’m a little bit in shock. For his family, they must be going through hell."

Speaking from the heart, Cole fondly remembered Windsor's excitement when he took to the dancefloor. He said: "The excitement, he reminded me of a little puppy, very flappy with his dancing. That's a compliment because he was so excited."

He added: "He couldn't contain the emotions he was getting out. Honestly the most lovely, he was lovely, he didn't have a bad word to say about anybody. He just loved being on the dancefloor, hanging out with his friends, life and soul of the party."

Boag also joined the breakfast show to share her warm tribute for the late star. She praised her friend for being "life and soul of the party". She added: "He was a great professional and a great dancer. He was also a great friend to all. Everybody that he met, that he worked with, Brendan and I worked with him for many many years. He was just a wonderful man."

She further elaborated on her friend: "A great heart, a great professional to partner his celebrities and show them off at their best. He was the sparkle on the floor and in theatre, he did a lot of theatre shows. I only found out this morning. I couldn't believe it. I am devastated."

What else happened on GMB?

Presenter Reid paid tribute to Windsor who she danced with on the special. She told viewers of the late star: "Robin was larger than life. I fell in love with him and fell in love with dancing when I danced with him back then."

She went on: "He was an absolutely remarkable dancer, incredibly strong, so creative. He was so enthusiastic about dancing. I adored him. He was the most incredible personality and as soon as I danced with him, there was something very special as him."

Good Morning Britain weekdays from 6am on ITV1 & ITVX

Read more

• Emotional moment GMB’s Susanna Reid learns about death of Strictly partner Robin Windsor

• Robin Windsor death: Strictly Come Dancing star dies ‘tragically’, aged 44 (The Independent, 2-min read)

Watch emotional moment GMB's Susanna Reid learns about death of Strictly partner Robin Windsor