HomeTVRobin Windsor Strictly launch interview

Robin Windsor Strictly launch interview

Robin Windsor returns toĀ Strictly Come DancingĀ for his third year and has established himself as one of the most popular male dancers on the show. In his first year he arrived on the show with fellow professionals Artem Chigvintsev and Jared Murillo, and was partnered with actress Patsy Kensit.

Last year Robin was paired withĀ EastEndersĀ legend Anita Dobson and the two wowed the judges with their routines and energy. For the latest series ofĀ StrictlyRobin will be dancing with formerĀ EmmerdaleĀ actress Lisa Riley who is best-known for her role as Mandy Dingle in the soap.

We gave Robin a call to find out how he feels about his latest dancing partner, discover how the training is going and see if heā€™s confident that Team RiRo will walk away with the glitterball trophy.

How do you feel about Lisa being your partner this year?

As you can tell from the launch show I was ecstatic that I got Lisa as a partner. As you saw I ran down the stairs, picked her up and swung her round. I was really happy because in the group dance weā€™d all been doing a couple of days before, Lisa and me just struck up an instant friendship. It was the same feeling I had the previous year with Anita. I already felt there was a connection straight away before weā€™d been paired up so I was really happy.

Were you surprised to get Lisa or did you have an inkling that may happen?

I thought I might have an inkling that might happen just because we had been getting on so well together.Ā  Surely the producers can see that in the background and think ā€˜oh theyā€™d be great togetherā€™.

Where have you been based for training? It seems from Twitter that youā€™ve been all over the placeā€¦

Lisaā€™s been filming her last scenes forĀ Waterloo RoadĀ up in Glasgow so Iā€™ve had to be up there for a few days and now weā€™re in her hometown of Manchester which I love.

Has it been all about training at the moment or have you had time to have some fun too?

Weā€™ve been rehearsing like crazy this week and Lisaā€™s really sore today. We had a nice glass of wine last night because we thought we really deserved it as weā€™d finished the routine and we were really happy.

Are you allowed to tell us what your first dance is going to be or is it all very top secret?

Weā€™ll be doing a cha cha for week one but I canā€™t tell you what weā€™ll be doing for week two.

Are you feeling confident?

Yeah! Confident as far as Lisaā€™s picked up the routine. Now itā€™s trying to get all the technique into the routine which is the hard part. The routine is the easy part to put together but now itā€™s about learning how to do it. Quietly confident but you never know whatā€™s going to happen on the night.

Thereā€™s some preconceptions that Lisa may not be a very good dancer but it seems from the launch show that she can really move. Whatā€™s been your experience with her so far?

You know what? This girlā€™s got rhythm and that is something that is hard to teach. If she can bring all that rhythm to the dancefloor Iā€™m going to be more than happy.

Are you being quite adventurous in the way you choreograph the routines?

Coming in to choreograph the routine I thought I was going to have to make it really simple. As it turns out Iā€™m able to make it a little more complicated than I was anticipating. Lisaā€™s picking it all up really well.

Obviously the dynamic is the most important thing with your partner and you had great chemistry with Patsy and Anita. Whatā€™s your dynamic like with Lisa?

Me and Lisa are basically having so much fun and such a ball. Itā€™s the way I like it. When I teach somebody and I train somebody I like them to enjoy themselves as much as possible because theyā€™re learning and having a good time at the same time. In a way youā€™re having so much fun that when it comes to the end of the week you realise ā€˜wow Iā€™ve actually learned a routineā€™.

Are you excited to be finally heading towards the live shows? They feel a bit further off this year with the show kicking off in October.

I canā€™t wait for the first live show. Ā Iā€™m anxious to find out how everybody else has been doing because obviously weā€™re all so far apart from one another and everyone has been working so hard in the training room. I canā€™t wait to see what everyone else has done and show off Lisa to the rest of the country so they can see how amazing sheā€™s going to be.

Have you scoped out your competition yet? Who do you think is your biggest challenge?

There are the obvious favourites at the moment with Kimberley and Denise. They are already coming in with a high standard of dance so weā€™ve all got high expectations of them. Itā€™s those that donā€™t have any dance background that are going to surprise people because thereā€™s some natural talent in the bunch.

This is your third year on the show. Are you hoping for third time lucky?

Third time lucky! Thereā€™s space on my mantelpiece already for that glitterball so Iā€™m hoping that this year I can put it there. Letā€™s face it itā€™s been gathering dust the last two years and it could do with a nice trophy to go on there.

How competitive is it really between the professionals? Weā€™ve seen on Twitter that you and James Jordan have been enjoying a bit of banter.

Thereā€™s always banter between the boys. Weā€™re all competitive because we come from a competitive dance background. Itā€™s drilled into us. Of course we all want to lift the glitterball but for me my competition is to take it week-by-week and my goal is to get a bit further each week.

Howā€™s the new professional Karen Hauer fitting in this year?

I knew Karen fromĀ Burn The FloorĀ and as you can tell from the launch show sheā€™s an incredible dancer and extremely hot. She really knows how to work it and she knows her stuff. Sheā€™s going to do extremely well with Nicky and knock him into shape.

Are you disappointed that show wonā€™t be visiting Blackpool this year?

Itā€™s a shame weā€™re not going to Blackpool this year because itā€™s the hub of ballroom dancing. Iā€™m actually very happy that weā€™re going to Wembley instead because rather than dancing infront of 800 people there we can dance to 6000 people there and itā€™s an amazing feel. I canā€™t wait to get back there.

Does it feel strange translating ā€˜Strictlyā€™ from a small studio to such a large arena?

When you first walk into Wembley it feels huge. When you walk on to do your dance it feels like it could be the studio or a rehearsal room because all that matters is you and your partner. Itā€™s just you two in the middle of the floor and you have to block out that itā€™s a big space.

We guess itā€™s similar to the feeling you have when you walk out onto the stage for the ā€˜Strictlyā€™ arena tour?

Yeah the moment you walk out onto the floor it feels like such a vast space and you think ā€˜oh my goodness thereā€™s all these peopleā€™. What youā€™ve got to remember is thereā€™s normally 12 million people at home watching and itā€™s just another watching you.

Your team name this year is Team RiRo. Where did that come from?

Team RiRo ā€“ yeah a bit like J.Lo. We just felt that a little double-barrelled name would be good and we wanted to be Team Fabulous because we are Team Fabulous or Team Sparkle. We figured wer had to go with our names so Team RiRo works perfectly.

Weā€™ve noticed this year that youā€™ve got a lot of fan Twitter channels. Whatā€™s that like for you?

Iā€™m really happy that there are so many fans all of a sudden for me and Lisa. There are a lot of people rooting for Lisa. Sheā€™s quite openly said that sheā€™s a big girl and sheā€™s doing it for big girls. There are lots of big girls out there and she wants to prove she can dance. Everyone wants to get behind that. Sheā€™s just adorable and her bubbly personality is infectious and you canā€™t help but love her.

Why should people vote Team RiRo on this yearā€™s show?

People should vote for Team RiRo because weā€™re just fabulous. Lisa is going to have a massive journey on this show and thatā€™s what itā€™s all about. People are going to see week-after-week that she loves this. Not only does she love it but sheā€™s going to improve and get better. We want everyone to get behind us and see how good she can really be.

ā€˜Strictly Come Dancingā€™ returns to BBC One on Friday 5thĀ and Saturday 6thĀ October 2012. You can follow Team RiRo on TwitterĀ @RobinWindsorĀ andĀ @RealLisaRiley

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.

Must Read

Advertisement