Ipswich-born Robin Windsor inspired local performer to pursue career

Robin Windsor presented Ellie Ketteringham with an award for performing arts at his former school in 2015

A local performer has paid tribute to Strictly Come Dancing star Robin Windsor, who has died aged 44.

Ellie Ketteringham, 26, called the Ipswich-born dancer an "inspiration" after he gave her advice about the industry.

In 2015 Windsor presented Ms Ketteringham with an award for performing arts at Copleston High School in Suffolk, which he attended.

She said: "I'm grateful to have met him and I'll treasure the memory forever."

Robin Windsor appeared on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing from 2010 until 2013

Ms Ketteringham continued: "To see somebody that was local and so successful was such an inspiration.

"He was the most genuine, kind person... I really looked up to [him]," she said. She also recalled how he gave her "amazing advice".

'Friendly and generous'

Windsor first began dancing at the age of three when his parents enrolled him in classes at an Ipswich dance school, according to his website.

It was there that he met Ruth Boreham, with whom he also attended Copleston High School.

"Over the years, I have loved watching his star rise high, from incredible performances in Burn the Floor, to Strictly Come Dancing," said Ms Boreham.

"He was an amazing man, friendly and generous - gone far too soon."

• Listen on BBC Sounds: Tributes to Suffolk's Strictly star Robin Windsor

• Strictly dancer Robin Windsor dies aged 44

Richie Ross, the general manager of the Ipswich Regent Theatre, said: "He was always very, very proud of his Ipswich roots and he loved coming back and performing to audiences across Suffolk."

Mr Ross described Windsor as a "brilliant dancer and choreographer" who had an "air of sophistication".

Ruth Boreham attended an Ipswich dance school and Copleston High School with the professional dancer

Over the years, Windsor supported numerous charities at fundraising events.

Anna Kennedy, who founded the autism awareness charity of the same name, danced with Windsor for three months on Comic Relief's People's Strictly in 2015.

She said: "I am totally heartbroken. Robin was a beautiful, kind man.

"He taught me to have fun again through dance, and was a huge supporter of our charity," she said.

She added that Windsor attended the charity's fundraiser Autism's Got Talent on many occasions.

Robin Windsor supported many charity events, including Autism's Got Talent, which was founded by Anna Kennedy

Hayley Charlesworth, the founder of the charity Harry's Pals, which provides emotional support to parents with severely ill or disabled children, said: "It's a tremendous loss."

Windsor acted as a compere and judge at the charity's Strictly Come Dancing-style event at Fawsley Hall near Daventry, in 2017.

"It really resonated with him. He just wanted to support the cause... he did it out of the goodness of his heart," Ms Charlesworth added.