Strictly star believes late dancer Robin Windsor is contacting her from beyond the grave

Strictly Come Dancing star Lisa Riley has spoken of her belief that her former dance partner Robin Windsor is reaching out to her after his death.

Professional dancer Windsor was found dead in a London hotel at the age of 44 in February, with tributes pouring in from fans and friends alike.

He had starred on the BBC ballroom competition between 2010 and 2013, alongside celebrities like This Morning’s Alison Hammond, Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid, Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson, and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden.

Emmerdale actress Lisa, 48, competed on the tenth series of Strictly in 2012 with Windsor.

Following the news of his death, she paid tribute to him and expressed how devastating it was after her mother died from breast cancer in July 2012.

She told The Mirror: ‘So to then lose my best friend as well… It was like, “Why does God take the best?”’

She’s now revealed she thinks Windsor is communicating with her, saying: ‘I was driving home the other night and I saw something and I thought it was an angel.

‘I thought, “Somebody wants to say hello.” There was this energy.’

Speaking to The Daily Star, Lisa said she felt Windsor’s presence again when their dance number, Car Wash, played on the radio.

She said: ‘I was filming a scene for Emmerdale and got in the van to drive to go back the set and it was playing on the radio.

‘By the law of averages, there’s more chance of me winning the lottery than that song playing.

‘I went, “That’s too much of a coincidence.”‘

She added: ‘There are signs and you’ve got to hold onto them. That gets me through it. Robin would want that.’

Earlier this year, Lisa admitted Windsor’s death had taken a toll on her and made her not want to step in front of the camera.

She said: ‘He was such a big part of my life. There have been days when I didn’t want to go in front of the camera. I had to paint Mandy Dingle on… put the wig and lashes on and go out there. But it’s so painful.’

The Mandy Dingle actress also presented the Posthumous Award at the British LGBT Awards to Windsor’s family in June, as there was a standing ovation for the much-loved performer.

As reported by the BBC, she said: ‘I wish he was here, he should be on my arm covered in sparkles and having a ball, but the energy he had is imprinted on my heart. He would be shining down and laughing at us.

‘His vibrancy, energy and zest for life was out there for everyone to see.

‘He wasn’t a hidden gay man, he was a proud, proud gay man.’