There were emotional scenes on daytime television this week as Emmerdale favourite Lisa Riley bravely opened her heart about the devastating loss of

her closest friend, former Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor. Appearing on ITV’s Loose Women, the actress fought back tears as she reflected

on the dancer’s death in February 2024, describing him as “too young to die” and a once-in-a-lifetime presence in her life.

Lisa was partnered with Robin on Strictly in 2012

Riley, who has played Mandy Dingle on Emmerdale for decades, formed an unbreakable bond with Windsor when they were partnered together on Strictly Come Dancing in 2012. What began as a professional partnership on the glittering BBC dance floor quickly blossomed into a friendship that Riley now says defined one of the most transformative chapters of her life.

Speaking candidly on Loose Women alongside Kaye Adams, Coleen Nolan and Janet Street-Porter, Riley described Windsor as her “one in a million” friend — someone who instinctively understood her in a way few others ever had.

“In meeting him,” she shared, her voice breaking, “I just knew he was like my firework — my male me.”

The description perfectly captured the vibrant dynamic the pair shared during their time on Strictly. Windsor, known for his high-energy choreography and infectious smile, encouraged Riley to embrace the sequins, the sparkle and the sheer joy of performance. But behind the glitz of the ballroom lights, their connection ran far deeper than dance routines and Saturday night scores.

Riley has previously spoken about struggling with trust and insecurity, but Windsor, she revealed, became her rock. “If it was ten past three in the morning, he would pick up that phone — and vice versa,” she said. “It was a friendship like no other.”

An inquest following Windsor’s death revealed that the dancer had been battling significant mental health challenges in the years after his departure from Strictly. Financial pressures and a profound sense of “imposter syndrome” reportedly weighed heavily on him. For fans who remembered his confidence and charisma on screen, the revelations were heartbreaking.

For Riley, the loss remains almost impossible to comprehend. Marking the second anniversary of his passing, she admitted the milestone reopened wounds that time has not fully healed.

“Last Thursday was the anniversary,” she said. “Two years have gone by and you think to yourself, ‘How could I have lost such a wonderful person in my life?’ And ‘Why was his life taken so, so soon?’ He was too young to die.”

Her words resonated deeply with viewers, many of whom have followed her journey both on Emmerdale and beyond. Riley’s portrayal of Mandy Dingle has often brought comic relief and warmth to the Yorkshire village — but in this moment, there was no acting, no script. Just raw, unfiltered grief.

During the discussion, Riley also addressed the complexity of losing someone to suicide — a loss that often leaves behind unanswered questions. At Windsor’s funeral, she confessed, she found herself asking a painful, haunting question: “Why would he not want to be here anymore?”

“With suicide,” she explained, “it’s so hard because you don’t understand why they’re going to take their life.”

The conversation was handled with sensitivity by the Loose Women panel, who allowed Riley the space to articulate her heartbreak while also acknowledging the broader mental health crisis that continues to affect so many.

Since Windsor’s death, Riley has channelled her grief into action. Determined to ensure her friend’s legacy is not defined solely by tragedy, she has become a passionate advocate for mental health awareness. Taking on an ambassadorial role for the charity SANE, she has pledged to “keep his sparkle alive” by encouraging open conversations and supporting those who may be silently struggling.

For Riley, sparkle is more than a metaphor — it is a symbol of Windsor himself. “I love bling and sparkle,” she smiled through tears. “And he embraced that in me. He allowed me to have that sparkle in that disco, which was him.”

She described him as her “backpacking life,” a beautiful phrase that suggests a constant presence, carried with her wherever she goes. “He’s with me,” she said simply. “And I want to keep that going forever.”

The impact of Windsor’s passing has extended beyond Riley’s personal grief. It has prompted renewed reflection within the entertainment industry about the pressures faced by performers once the spotlight dims. The transition from prime-time television to life beyond the ballroom can be jarring, and Windsor’s struggles with self-doubt — despite his evident talent — highlight the often unseen emotional toll of fame.

Riley’s decision to speak openly about her friend’s battles is a powerful reminder that mental health struggles do not discriminate. Even those who appear confident, charismatic and full of life can be fighting invisible wars.

As the episode concluded, viewers took to social media to praise Riley’s bravery and vulnerability. Many shared their own experiences of loss, echoing her call for compassion and conversation.

In the world of soap operas, drama is scripted and storylines eventually resolve. But in real life, grief lingers without neat conclusions. For Lisa Riley, the pain of losing Robin Windsor remains — but so does the joy he brought into her life.

“He leaves that legacy,” she said. “And if that means helping people with mental health issues, then I want to do that.”

It is a promise born from heartbreak, but also from love — the kind of love that endures long after the music fades and the glitter settles.