Robin Windsor is without a doubt one of the most popular male pros on Strictly Come Dancing and we were gutted when we heard he was having to pull out of this yearās show due to injury.
Despite not being able to dance on the show, Robin will still be heavily involved this series and weāll be catching up with him weekly to talk about all the dances from the live shows.
We caught up with Robin to talk about this yearās Strictly launch, find out who he thinks is this yearās dark horse and get an update on how heās feeling after his operation.
Something everyone wants to know is how your recovery is going?
I made the heartbreaking decision back in the summer to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing this year because of my back injury. I had to have what is known as L5S1 discectomy which is a whole load of jargon to me but is apparently quite important. Iām well on the road to recovery and Iāll be back dancing before I know it. It just fell at the most inconvenient time possible.
We know that you arenāt able to dance on the series this year but youāre still going to be involved?
All going to plan I hope to make a few appearances on It Takes Two during the series. Hopefully Iāll be ok in time for the Christmas special but I canāt guarantee that yet because I have to get the doctorās all-clear before I do anything.
Even though youāre not on the show youāll be watching it every week. The launch show aired at the weekend revealing this yearās pairings. What do you make of the couples this series?
I think weāve got some very interesting pairings this year. One of my ones to watch is Judy Murray. She seems to be a natural. Sheās extremely fit for her age.
Do you think she could be the dark horse of the competition?
I think Judy Murray could be the one to watch that people just arenāt expecting. I think she could well be the dark horse.
Was it bittersweet watching the launch show and wishing you were there?
It was really, really tough for me to sit at home and watch the launch show, especially knowing I should have been there. Everyoneās done such an amazing job and Iāll be there supporting week upon week. Iāll be giving my opinions on BBC nationwide radio on Monday mornings.
If you had been dancing this series, which of the celebs would you have wanted to dance with?
Ooooā¦if I had been there this yearā¦itās a tough one because itās such a great cast this year. Whoever did the booking deserves a medal. We have a much younger cast this year thatās much more energetic and so vibrant. If I had to pick someone I would have liked to have danced with Iād have to go with Alison Hammond because I know weād have a lot of fun or Caroline Flack because I think sheās wonderful.
There have been a lot of changes to the pro line-up this year. What do you make of the new professionals?
Weāve got three great new professionals this year and Iāve worked with them all before. Joanne we all know is Kevin from Grimsbyās sister, Tristan MacManus has come from Dancing With The Stars where he got to dance with Pamela Anderson and Gladys Knight, and Trent Whiddon has come from Burn The Floor and Dancing With The Stars Australia. Actually all three have come from Burn The Floor! They are all great personalities to work with and great fun. Tristan is an absolute charmer and we all love him. Joanne is extremely quirky and sheās going to be a great addition to the Strictly family.
Artem has departed the show this year and is now on Dancing With The Stars where heāll be dancing with Lea Thompson. Have you heard anything from him about how heās getting on?
I spoke to Artem recently and he was wishing me well and checking I was ok. Itās really sad when your best friend hops across the pond to join the other show but heās doing amazing and I wish him so much luck.
What tips would you give the new celebrities ahead of the live shows?
Performance. Thereās nothing worse than hitting the dance floor and looking like youāre petrified. Grab hold of your professionalās hand as you walk down those stairs and give it a big smile. Have confidence. If you donāt believe in yourself youāll crumble.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th September 2014 for the first live shows of the series.