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Lisa Riley: Strictly saved me from grief's abyss
2 Oct
Summary
- Actress Lisa Riley felt purposeless after her mother's death.
- She found solace and support through Strictly Come Dancing.
- Her professional dancer, Robin Windsor, was a crucial confidant.
Actress Lisa Riley shared a deeply personal account of the profound grief she experienced after her mother's death from cancer. She confessed to feeling a complete loss of purpose, stating she had 'no will to go and sit in that make-up chair' and wished to 'bury her head in the sand'.
Riley found an unexpected anchor in 'Strictly Come Dancing,' where she partnered with Robin Windsor. She described Windsor as her 'best friend,' confidant, and 'grief counsellor' during this incredibly difficult period.
She explained that her mother, during her final days, encouraged her to participate in the show. Riley credited the dance programme as 'the best therapy' and a significant factor in helping her cope with her loss.
Tragically, Riley also revealed that she later had to support Windsor through his own personal struggles. Windsor passed away in 2026 at the age of 44, following a deterioration in his mental health.
