Strictly Come Dancing: Robin Windsor pulls out over injury

Robin Windsor joined Strictly Come Dancing on the professional dancing team in 2010

Strictly Come Dancing professional Robin Windsor has pulled out of performing on this year's show due to a back injury.

The dancer said he was "devastated" to withdraw from the series.

"It's been a really difficult decision, but I plan to focus 100% on my recovery and hope to be back in the ballroom as soon as possible," he said.

He will be replaced by Australian Trent Whiddon, who has appeared on both his native and US versions of the show.

Windsor missed some of last year's series due to a slipped disc and nerve problems, although it was after he and celebrity partner Deborah Meaden had been eliminated from the show.

"I wish the rest of the cast and crew the best of luck with the new series which I'll be watching every week," Windsor added.

'Silver lining'

Trent Whiddon is a dancefloor champion

Whiddon, who began dancing when he was seven years old, won youth and junior titles in Australia before joining the cast of Burn the Floor and spending 12 years with the company.

"I am so excited to have been asked to join Strictly," he said. "It's such an honour to be a part of the show and I can't wait to step onto the famous Strictly dancefloor."

Strictly's executive producer, Louise Rainbow, said: "We are of course sad to lose Robin from this year's show. He is a valued member of the Strictly family and we wish him the very best with his recovery.

"But every cloud has a silver lining and I am delighted to welcome Trent to our team of professional dancers."

Whiddon joins two other new professionals on the show - Joanne Clifton, whose brother Kevin partnered Susanna Reid last year, and former Dancing with the Stars US dancer Tristan MacManus.

It was announced in June Artem Chigvintsev and James Jordan will not be returning to the next series, which will be presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.