Janette Manrara, Susanna Reid and Anton Du Beke pay ultimate respects to late dancer Robin Windsor because the Strictly star is laid to relaxation in a personal funeral

Strictly star Robin Windsor was laid to relaxation in a personal funeral on Tuesday after his shock demise on the age of 44.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Janette Manrara and Anton Du Beke joined former Strictly contestant Susanna Reid to pay their final respects to the skilled dancer.

The funeral was held in his hometown of Ipswich along with his closest household, associates and colleagues on the intimate service, which was an hour lengthy.

Friends had been requested to carry a rainbow umbrellas to have a good time his ‘vibrant life’ and the service reportedly featured ’emotional and exquisite dance performances’.

Different celebrities in attendance included Deborah Meaden, Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, Karen Hauer and her boyfriend Simon Davidson.

Robin’s portrait was printed behind a flurry of songs, poems and eulogy’s on the order of service clutched by friends.

Robin’s Strictly co-stars Artem Chigvintsev and Aljaz Skorjanec carried the glitter-covered coffin into the crematorium to Queen tune, Nobody however you (solely the nice die younger). 

The music continued when West Finish musical star Kerry Ellis sang Someplace Over the Rainbow in an emotional second for the 90 mourners, whereas Frank Sinatra’s I Did It My Means performed because the mourners left the service.

Throughout her speech, Robin’s shut pal and Strictly companion Lisa Riley bought some laughs when she referenced his love of faux tan, quipping that her pal ‘liked having seven layers of faux tan after which he’d return in and have seven extra!’

One visitor informed MailOnline: ‘It was so unhappy. Robin ought to be on a cruise in South Africa along with his dancer companion Gordana Grandiose however right here all of us are at his funeral. ‘

A household assertion mentioned: ‘The funeral will probably be a personal service for invited household, associates and colleagues who had been essential to Robin in each his private life {and professional} profession.

‘Within the meantime we as soon as once more thank everybody for the love and the reminiscences shared of Robin.

‘As a household we additionally please ask for there to be no additional upsetting hypothesis. We thanks for respecting our continued privateness at this tough time.’

Kevin Clifton and Janette each shared candy posts devoted to the late dancer as stars from the world of ballroom say a ultimate farewell, previous to his funeral.

Janette, 40, shared a gallery of candy photographs the place she was cuddled as much as Robin, whereas Kevin posted a black and white picture alongside a damaged head emoji.

Alongside the images of herself and Robin, Janette wrote: ‘Love you all the time’, whereas former decide Arlene Phillips, wrote: ‘Wow. This photograph touched my coronary heart.’

Ashley Roberts, who appeared on the present in 2018, posted a praying palms emoji beneath Janette’s put up.

One pal of Robin mentioned: ‘Robin was so liked. The outpouring of grief following the tragic information of his demise simply confirmed simply how a lot he meant to everybody in his life.

‘He was all the time such a bigger than life character, enjoyable to be round however all the time so open and trustworthy about the whole lot he was going by.

‘His best love was dancing so after they began planning his funeral everybody agreed that there needed to be a efficiency that will be a fantastic tribute to the whole lot he achieved in his profession.

‘It’ll be a really emotional day however everybody simply needs to do Robin proud.’

Shortly earlier than his demise, Robin had frolicked in South Africa the place he carried out on an expensive cruise ship with Grandosek – a Slovenian ballroom star.

Particulars of how he died haven’t but been disclosed however he spoke overtly about his struggles along with his psychological well being and he’d been in a darkish place earlier than leaving London and was laying aside returning. 

He informed a pal that he did not need to come residence to the UK following an undisclosed incident over the New Yr interval.

Robin was ousted from Strictly in 2013 after injuring his again whereas doing a elevate at a celebration in Blackpool the place the present movies throughout every collection.

Following his demise, Kristina Rihanoff – his shut pal and former Strictly co-star hinted that he might have taken his personal life.

She wrote on Fb: ‘There are not any phrases to precise the ache.

‘Robin wasn’t simply my dance companion, he was a pal and collectively we shared limitless experiences from our profession highlights to hitting all-time low of rejection. 

‘A lot of you, who went to see his farewell tour, know completely properly that he spoke very overtly about his psychological well being struggles and ideas of suicide.

‘I am positive it was devastating for anybody who loves Robin to listen to that, however these ideas had been in his head for a few years… An excessive amount of ache, an excessive amount of disappointment, an excessive amount of neglect.’

Throughout his time on the primary present from 2010 to 2013, Robin was paired with numerous celebrities – together with Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden

Robin additionally danced with mannequin Patsy Kensit, actresses Anita Dobson and Lisa Riley on the BBC One collection.

For the Christmas specials, he was partnered with The Nice British Bake Off host Alison Hammond in 2015, and BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox.

Susanna Reid took half in 2011’s Kids In Want particular with the Latin and ballroom dancer.

Robin’s demise was introduced in February and Strictly’s workforce paid tribute, saying they had been ‘deeply saddened’ by the lack of their ‘expensive pal’.

In accordance with his web site, he started dancing on the age of three when his mother and father enrolled him in lessons in Ipswich and he went on to symbolize England in quite a few championships at residence and overseas.

Robin additionally appeared within the stage exhibits Come What Could, a tribute to Moulin Rouge, and Burn The Flooring.

Robin was beforehand in a relationship with Marcus Collins, proper, a X-Issue finalist mentored by Gary Barlow – the couple had deliberate to marry however break up in 2015. 

For confidential help, name Samaritans on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.