'Strictly Come Dancing': Professional Dancer Robin Windsor Pulls Out Of New Series
Another One Bites The Dust...
The Huffington Post UK
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'Strictly Come Dancing' has lost another professional dancer after Robin Windsor was forced to pull out of the new series because of a back injury.
Robin - who danced with 'Dragon's Den' star Deborah Meaden on 'Strictly' last year - says he is 'devastated' at the news.
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Robin Windsor
"I'm devastated to have to pull out of Strictly this year due to a pre-existing back injury," he said. "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, doing what I love best.
"In the meantime, I wish the rest of the cast and crew the best of luck with the new series which I'll be watching every week."
Robin will be replaced by Australian dance star Trent Whiddon, who has appeared on the US and Australian equivalent of 'Strictly' - 'Dancing With The Stars' - as well as on Broadway.
He said: "I am so excited to have been asked to join Strictly. It's such an honour to be a part of the show and I can't wait to step onto the famous Strictly dancefloor."
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Trent Whiddon pictured with fellow dancer Gordana Grandosek
'Strictly' 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."
He told The Sun: “The dancers get treated like dirt. The producers like to tell you no one is bigger than the BBC and you’re all replaceable — and I was.
“I think that they forget that without the professionals, they don’t have a show.
“I believe everyone should be treated the same and unfortunately the professional dancers are treated very, very, very differently to the celebrities.”
The 12th series of 'Strictly' kicks off on 2 September on BBC One when this year's celebrity contestants will be revealed.
'Strictly Come Dancing' 2014: Rumoured Contestants
(01 of16)
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Sharon Osbourne's son Jack has revealed that he reckons his mum would be fab on the show. "Mum’s a great dancer. She trained at the same place a lot of professional dancers on the shows studied," he told The Sun. "She’s got close to doing 'Strictly' before but has been too busy." (credit:PA)
(02 of16)
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Mark Wright has already revealed that he "has some interest" in getting his dancing shoes on for the show... (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of16)
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... But fianceé Michelle Keegan won't be joining him. "Michelle is a fan of 'Strictly Come Dancing' however there are no plans for her to join the show, she will be concentrating on her acting career in 2014," a spokesperson told MailOnline. (credit:PA)
(04 of16)
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CONFIRMED: Alison Hammond (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
(05 of16)
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Reports suggest Caroline Flack could get revenge on ITV - who ditched her from the 'Xtra Factor' line-up - by signing up for the BBC's rival show. (credit:Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP /Invision/AP)
(06 of16)
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'Masterchef' judge Gregg apparently thinks going on 'Strictly' will make him more popular with TV viewers. According to reports, he's even been having some his tattoos removed so he looks better in the sparkly costumes too... (credit:Stuart Wilson via Getty Images)
(07 of16)
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CONFIRMED: Judy Murray. (credit:PA)
(08 of16)
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CONFIRMED: Thom Evans (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
(09 of16)
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Helen Flanagan's no stranger to reality TV, but at least a stint on 'Strictly' won't require her to chow down on any jungle creepy-crawlies. The actress has previously spoken about her desire to appear on the show, saying: “I’d like to learn a new skill, so 'Strictly Come Dancing' would be good." (credit:PA)
(10 of16)
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Radio 1 DJ Greg James could inspire more youngsters to tune into the show. (credit:Jon Furniss/Invision/AP)
(11 of16)
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James 'Arg' Argent is yet another 'TOWIE' star who wants to get his dancing shoes on. Arg hasn't signed on the dotted line yet, but does reckon "he's in their [the boss's] thoughts". If you say so, James... (credit:PA)
(12 of16)
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CONFIRMED: Frankie Sandford (credit:Neil P. Mockford via Getty Images)
(13 of16)
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Judge Darcey Bussell has revealed that Sir Chris Hoy is top of the Beeb's hit list for people to sign up. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(14 of16)
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Mary Berry's lack of dancing skills mean she won't be waltzing across our TV screens any time soon. "My legs are not coordinated,” she confessed on the BBC Breakfast sofa. “I would be terrified, it would be the last thing in the world." (credit:Getty Images)
(15 of16)
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According to The Sun, Jake Wood could be swapping Walford for the waltz. (credit:Jon Furniss/Invision/AP)
(16 of16)
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CONFIRMED: Simon Webbe (credit:Jon Furniss Photography/Invision/AP)