HomeTVRobin Windsor Strictly 2012 final interview

Robin Windsor Strictly 2012 final interview

Strictly Come DancingĀ ended its 2012 series with a stunning, and intense, final on Saturday night which saw Louis Smith beat Denise Van Outen, Kimberley Walsh and Dani Harmer to the glitterball trophy.

The final also reunited the entire 2012 cast for one last group dance and it was a joy to see Team RiRo aka Robin Windsor and Lisa Riley dancing together one last time (well until the tour in the New Year of course).

With the glitter now being swept off the dance floor we thought weā€™d give you one lastĀ StrictlyĀ treat and have a final chat for 2012 with Robin Windsor. We talked about the weekendā€™s final, his highlights from the series and his plans for Christmas.

ā€˜Strictlyā€™ is over for another year. How does it feel?

It feels really strange. TheĀ StrictlyĀ bubble has now been burst and itā€™s been a long four months for all of us. All of a sudden I have a day off and I donā€™t know what to do with myself. It was a fantastic series and Louis was a well-deserved winner. In fact all four finalists were well-deserved winners.

The final was really close this year and it was tough to figure out who would walk away with the glitterball trophyā€¦

For the first time in a long time it was really, really difficult to pick out who was going to win. Normally thereā€™s a standout but this year it was a very closely fought competition. I think Louisā€™ showdance won it for him.

His showdance definitely clinched it for him. It was quite different to the usual showdances wasnā€™t it?

Yes completely. On the other hand Deniseā€™s showdance was one of the best showdances that Iā€™ve ever seen onStrictly, if not THE best.

Denise took some brave chances with those lifts didnā€™t she?

Iā€™d be very scared to do a lot of those lifts. For her to throw herself into themā€¦ it was just remarkable to see anyone do them.

The whole ā€˜Strictlyā€™ 2012 cast were back together for a final dance on Saturday night. What was that like?

It was amazing to have the whole cast back together. Ā To see people like Jerry and JohnnyĀ  – it feels like about a year ago since we last saw them ā€“ and have the whole family back together was great. We had great time and the number we performed together was a great joy. Of course I also got to do one more dance with my lovely Lisa.

That backwards shimmy was pretty impressiveā€¦

We knew it would be the last time weā€™d be seen onĀ StrictlyĀ this year so we gave it a million percent.

We loved that you incorporated the classic week one lift tooā€¦

Of course! We had our iconic lift from week one. What better way for us to close our show than how we opened it.

Strictly Come Dancing final 2012

Whatā€™s been your highlight of this series?

There are a million highlights this year. Itā€™s been amazing week-on-week. The biggest highlight for me would be getting partnered with Lisa and our week one revelation. Every week was a highlight. Every number we did was a highlight. There are going to be many more highlights on the tour.

What was your favourite routine from another couple this year?

My favourite dance of the series would have to beā€¦ Itā€™s a choice between two; Kimberley and Pashaā€™s Charleston and Denise and Jamesā€™ Tango. Oh also Dani and Vincentā€™s Viennese Waltz. I couldnā€™t pick a favourite. All three of them were absolutely brilliant.

It seems like you really bonded with Dani over the series tooā€¦

Daniā€™s an absolute sweetheart. She grew week-upon-week in the show. Sheā€™s really, really lovely. Weā€™re going to be on the tour together. She and Lisa were best friends from the start as well as Denise. Everyoneā€™s just lovely and fun but I thought Dani was very underrated on the show. She should have got a lot more praise for what she did.

We thought the judges were a bit harsh on her in the finalā€¦

They were a little harsh on Dani in the final and I didnā€™t think it was necessary.Ā  She was doing brilliantly and I think everybody was a deserving winner.

Whatā€™s it been like having Darcey on the judging panel this year?

Darcey has been an incredible addition to the judging panel. She brings with her such a high standard of training and she knows what itā€™s like for all of these dancers to do what they do. Apart from Len being the harshest ballroom judge, Darcey knows everything there is that goes into training and technique. Sheā€™s constructively criticised all the way through the show which is exactly what we all need to hear.

Sheā€™s started a bit of a craze thanks to her ā€˜yahsā€™ hasnā€™t she?

The first couple of weeks Darcey had about a million ā€˜yahsā€™ but theyā€™ve been cut down a little bit now. Thatā€™s what we all love about her. Sheā€™s just fabulous, absolutely beautiful and looks incredible every single week.

Strictly Come Dancing final 2012

Are you hoping to return to ā€˜Strictlyā€™ next year?

I loveĀ Strictly Come DancingĀ itā€™s the best job in the world. I pray and hope that I get to come back next year because if not I wouldnā€™t know what to do with myself. Itā€™s the best job in the entire world.

Seeing as itā€™s Christmas Eve we want to know your festive plans. What will you be doing tomorrow to celebrate?

As Iā€™m in the process of moving and everything is in boxes Iā€™ve actually got a hotel for Christmas. Iā€™ll be there tonight and Christmas Day with my other half. Weā€™re going to have everything delivered to the room so thereā€™ll be no cleaning and no cooking as we just havenā€™t had time.

That soundā€™s perfect to us!

Yeah itā€™ll be quite nice to not have to worry about anything.

What will you be doing to ring in the New Year?

Iā€™m going with a group of friends to Bath just before the New Year for a few days. Then weā€™re going to have a big party hopefully in my new place if itā€™s all ready to go.

Once New Year is out of the way 2013 is pretty full-on for you isnā€™t it?

Next year is non-stop from start to end. First up is theĀ StrictlyĀ tour which starts in February then Iā€™m ecstatic to be starring on the West End with Kirstina Rihanoff for four monthsĀ  inĀ Burn The Floor. Itā€™s been a dream of mine to star on the West End and Iā€™ve finally been offered it. Itā€™s going to be a magical year.

We canā€™t wait to see you in ā€˜Burn The Floorā€™ā€¦

Itā€™s going to be fantastic to come back and star in the show that I was a part of for so many year. It feels like Iā€™ve come full circle and I couldnā€™t be any happier.

ā€˜Strictly Come Dancingā€™ is back for a Christmas special tomorrow (Christmas Day) at 6.15pm on BBC One and BBC HD.Ā 

Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip Ellwood-Hughes
Pip is the owner and Editor of Entertainment Focus, and the Managing Director of PiƱata Media. With over 19 years of journalism experience, Pip has interviewed some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world. He is also a qualified digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience.

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