Strictly Come Dancing failed to pay for Robin Windsor's back surgery before bosses told him he would not be brought back to the show, it has been revealed.

The dancer was found dead in a London hotel on Monday at the age of 44, although his cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Robin was part of Strictly's professional line-up from 2009 to 2013 and was paired with stars such as Patsy Kensit and Lisa Riley.

But he suffered a hernia at an after-show party in Blackpool, fell heavily on a marble floor while 'trying a few lifts', and had to have surgery.

A source has told MailOnline that despite being in pain from the spinal cord injury, Robin has not received any financial support for his operation from Strictly bosses.

Although it seems unlikely that the BBC would have to pay for Robin's operation, the high medical costs will have added to Robin's misery as he was hit with a £100,000 tax bill just months later.

Robin eventually had surgery and months of painful injections, but the producers then decided they “couldn't have him back.”

A representative for Strictly declined to comment. MailOnline has contacted a representative of Robin Windsor's estate for comment.

A source previously told The Mail that Robin “never got over” being dropped from Strictly, and that he “lived in hope” that he would be invited back one day.

Robin also revealed his torment on the My Time Capsule podcast in January 2022, saying: 'It was the worst thing that ever happened to me… I loved being on Strictly Come Dancing. It was the best job in the world. I think I enjoyed being on that show more than anyone else.”

He described his firing this way: “I got a phone call saying, 'Thank you for all your hard work on the show. We don't need you anymore.' And that's all I got.'

'It hurt more than anything in the world. After all the work I'd put into it, how much I loved it, what I'd been through with the injury… to just be pushed to the side, with no real thanks or anything, was heartbreaking. But at the same time, that's show business, right? Then I went into a downward spiral.'

Robin previously revealed how he struggled to watch Strictly after being axed by bosses, saying: 'Leaving Strictly wasn't my choice. I had a horrible back surgery and they decided they didn't want to ask me back the following year.

'It was probably for health and safety reasons, in case something happened, but I was physically fit. One of my best friends, Trent Whiddon, who replaced me to dance with Pixie Lott. I wanted to watch him and support him, but it broke my heart.”

'I was with Marcus Collins from the X Factor, who was my partner at the time, and I said to him, 'I'm really struggling to watch the show.'

“He told me it was best to really get behind everyone and support everyone. He said it was difficult for him to see the success of Little Mix, who beat him on the X Factor.'

Robin was then dealt another devastating blow as after splitting from his fiancée Davide Cini in 2014, he was also hit with a £100,000 tax bill, and his mental health declined to the point where he contemplated suicide.

He wrote farewell letters to friends, and a source from The Mail said he had 'enough drugs on him to kill a herd of elephants'. But before he could execute his plan, his phone rang.

A source said the caller was someone he had a love-hate relationship with, and that their conversation was enough to save Robin from committing suicide.

On Tuesday, it emerged that Robin was found dead in a hotel room in London following a disturbing incident over the New Year period.

Although Robin's cause of death has yet to be confirmed, his close friend and former Strictly co-star Kristina Rihanoff hinted that he may have committed suicide.

She wrote online: 'There are no words to express the pain.

“Robin wasn't just my dance partner, he was a friend and together we shared endless experiences, from the highs of our careers to hitting the rock bottom of rejection.

“Many of you who attended his farewell tour are well aware that he spoke very openly about his mental health issues and thoughts of suicide.

“I'm sure it was devastating for anyone who loves Robin to hear that, but those thoughts were in his head for years… Too much pain, too much disappointment, too much neglect.”

In a second post, she showed her followers her and Robin's final rehearsal at the end of November, adding: 'If only I knew this is the last dance ever… may you dance with the angels without any more pain, my friend.'

Robin spent his final weeks bringing joy to others – even revealing he had been 'hiding in the shadows' and hinting at 'trauma' in a series of terrifying social media posts weeks before he passed away.

For help, call Samaritans toll-free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.

By Codie Bullen for Mailonline

Published: 04:29 EST, February 20, 2024 | Updated: 04:29 EST, February 20, 2024

Susanna Reid became emotional as she announced the death of Strictly Come Dancing star Robin 'Bobby' Windsor on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday.

The professional dancer, who has died aged 44, was best known for his appearances on the show for five years between 2010 and 2015.

Announcing his death live, Susanna struggled to get the words out and asked her co-host Ed Balls for help.

She said: “We have some very sad news to share. A much-loved member of the Strictly Come Dancing family… I'm sorry I can't read this Ed because I've been dancing with… it's about Robin Windsor.'

Ed then read out a statement from the dance show Burn The Floor confirming Robin's death.

Susanna, who danced with Robin for Strictly Children In Need, described him as 'larger than life'.

She said: 'I fell in love with him and fell in love with dancing when I danced with him then. He was a remarkable dancer, incredibly strong, so creative. He was just so excited about dancing. I just adored him.

'He was the most incredible personality and as soon as I danced with him there was something very special about him.'

Ed, who took part in Strictly in 2016, added: 'I was never on the show at the same time as him but his reputation has long outlived his tenure on that show.

“There will be a lot of people who find it difficult to respond or even talk, and I think Susanna is one of them.”

Robin worked with model Patsy Kensit, EastEnders legend Anita Dobson, Loose Woman Lisa Riley and Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden during his time on the show.

The Suffolk-born star also appeared with This Morning presenter Alison Hammond in the 2015 Christmas Special.

Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan led the tributes, posting on X: 'I've had the pleasure of working with this man on Strictly for many years. Everyone who came into contact with him loved him, from his celebrity partners to his working colleagues. You will be missed, old friend.”

Windsor, who started dancing at the age of three, was an original member of dance show Burn The Floor, which paid tribute to the star on their official website after his shocking death.

Their statement read: 'The Burn the Floor family has lost one of its founding members, Robin 'Bobby' Windsor – who has tragically passed away.

'As a BTF journeyman, he danced with us for twenty years – including Broadway, The West End and all our crazy adventures around the world.

'His stunning image with Jessica Raffa defined our company: colorful, extreme and sensual.

'His talent, attitude, energy and personality have helped create the Burn the Floor stage reputation. He leaves a void in our hearts that will never be filled, yet our wonderful memories will last forever.”

Founder of Burn the Floor and friend of Robin, Harley Medcalf, said: “We have lost a beautiful friend, Robin Windsor, Bobby, one of the founding members of the Burn the Floor family.

'Robin died in England. A generous, extremely talented dancer, full of energy, life and love.

'His stage presence defined the Burn the Floor company. Whenever we visited London, Robin was always the first to call, always there to support, celebrate, laugh and cry together.

'The attached photo showed a very emotional Robin just off stage after his final performance with Burn The Floor Reunion Tour in Birmingham in 2022.'

“Our hearts are broken and he will be deeply missed by all his friends, family and fans around the world.”

From the age of three, Bobby studied Latin and Ballroom and his talent and dedication to his calling took him to the highest levels of competition where he won numerous World Championships.

Bobby made his debut on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 alongside professional partner Kristina Rihanoff – a long-term relationship that saw them dance all over the world.

Performance arts theater Burn The Floor, where Robin danced and co-founded for 20 years, said there has been a “void” in their hearts since the tragic death.

Fellow dancer Giselle Rojas Peacock wrote: 'I was shocked to discover that today we have lost another dancer and friend Robin Jamie Windsor.

'This one hits home because we have danced together for so many years and toured all over the world in Burn the Floor.

“Bobby, one of the original members and poster boy of Burn, was so loved by everyone, the sweetest person. Just like a huge teddy bear.

'You light up the stage with so much energy and it was always a pleasure to dance with you.

“We have had so many laughs, tears, highs and lows together and even though life has taken us in different directions and the lord took you too soon, I think we will all cherish so many memories with you in them.

'RIP my good friend. My heart breaks today for everyone who loved you. And there were many.'

Strictly choreographer Patrick Helm said Robin was unaware of how much he meant to people.

He wrote: 'I don't even know how to find the words for this message. I will miss you very much, Robin Windsor

'This one hits me hard and too close to home.

'My deepest condolences go out to your family and everyone who knew you! You were another person who was loved by so many, but couldn't see it yourself.

“May you finally be free and find a piece

“RIP Bobby.”

Robin was previously engaged to ex-partner Davide Cini and proposed in 2013 for a romantic helicopter ride in New York before splitting years later.

He was in a relationship with former Strictly contestant Marcus Collins.

In 2018, Robin opened up about his struggles with depression while appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, saying: 'We all have dark days, but I had dark weeks.

'I ended up not getting out of bed for four or five days in a row, as far as everyone was concerned I was 'lucky Robin' – expected that from the people I lived with.'

Robin also faced mental health issues when he suffered two major setbacks – losing his job on Strictly and splitting up with his fiancée.

He said: 'I was still on Strictly when it started – it was really bad.

'A lot of things happened at the same time, very bad things, which set it in motion.

'My injury, a financial situation, my engagement [to Davide] had ended and I lost my job on Strictly at the same time, so it took its toll.”

Robin Thicke and April Love Geary have announced they are getting married this year.

The Blurred Lines singer, 46, revealed the wedding to his model fiance will take place on April 29.

“Wedding plans are a priority, we are looking at 2024 and we are very excited,” he said People at Bilt Rewards' Casino Royale Party during the NMHC annual meeting, held Wednesday evening at The Prado in Balboa Park in San Diego.

The couple has been engaged since Christmas Eve 2018.

And they have also welcomed three children together: daughters Mia Love, five, and Lola Alain, four, and son Luca Patrick, three.

They also co-parent his son Julian Fuego, 13, with his ex-wife Paula Patton, 48.

“My relationship with April continues to grow beautifully as we have become parents together three times,” he said.

“She really is the most amazing woman a man could ask for,” he added.

Thicke and Geary were first linked in 2014, when they attended the Cannes Film Festival together.

He was 37 at the time and she was 19 and he was still married to Patton.

In 2015, Thicke and Patton divorced after more than a decade together.

The Wanna Love You Girl singer and Geary welcomed their first child Mia in 2018.

In December, the couple celebrated her 29th birthday together in Paris.

While celebrating her 29th birthday, April took to Instagram to share a reflective post where she was “grateful” for Robin and their three children.

She said: 'I feel very happy and VERY loved today. I am so grateful for my family, my Robin, my friends. I feel the best I've ever felt and life is pretty amazing.

'Thank you all for the birthday wishes, I love you, thank you @robinthicke for always spoiling me, but thank you for planning this birthday trip! I felt like I was a princess.”

Two years ago, Robin admitted that he took part in therapy to help the couple through their rough patches.

“Couples therapy has been great for me and April, and it's been great for me and Paula in terms of co-parenting.”

“We had a few sessions and it really helped us, so I fully believe in therapy,” he said on the podcast Black girls texting.

King Charles has been praised for breaking royal tradition by sharing details of his prostate condition with the public.

The king revealed yesterday that he had been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate and would go to hospital for treatment next week. Aides said the king's condition was benign and he would undergo a corrective procedure.

While details of Charles' health are unusual, royal sources said he was “very keen” to share his condition with the country to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked in line with public health advice.

Cancer charities last night thanked the 75-year-old monarch for helping to 'shine a light' on prostate conditions, which are often seen as taboo, by breaking royal tradition and speaking out openly about his diagnosis.

It comes after one of the King's close friends – former TV presenter Robin Page, 80 – died in May last year after an 18-month battle with prostate cancer.

Ali Orhan, CEO of Orchid, Britain's leading charity for men affected by cancer, said: 'Anything that shines a light on these types of prostate conditions can only be a good thing.

'Now that a figurehead like King Charles is coming forward and speaking so openly about this condition, it helps to normalize it.

'It shows men that this disease is not a sign of weakness, even a king can have such a condition.

He added: 'It also shows men that it doesn't always have to be cancer and will encourage more men to seek help if they have symptoms.'

Oliver Kemp, CEO of Prostate Cancer Research, said: 'King Charles is absolutely right to encourage men to discuss any symptoms they are experiencing with their GP.

'Fortunately this case is benign, but one in eight men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime.

'It is always better to get examined quickly to reduce the chance of any problems becoming more serious. We wish His Majesty a speedy recovery.”

Charles is likely to miss Burns Night celebrations, the performance of Investitures and 'meetings planned at Dumfries House tomorrow' – after it was announced he will go to hospital next week to be treated for his enlarged prostate.

Charles had a series of meetings and events planned at Dumfries House tomorrow and Friday, which have now been postponed on doctor's advice. Guests, including foreign dignitaries and cabinet members, were expected to travel to the events.

The king's public appearances will also be postponed for a short period of recovery, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

This could rule out the monarch holding upcoming investitures and also celebrating Burns Night on January 25, an annual holiday that toasts Scotland's most famous poet, Robert Burns. In the past, Charles has celebrated the holiday publicly.

Charles is also patron of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and last year the King and Queen welcomed survivors for an audience at Buckingham Palace to mark the day, which falls on Saturday, January 27.

If the procedure is carried out late next week, it seems likely he will not be able to celebrate the day publicly.

So far this year the King has only been photographed three times – the first was a visit to Flitcham Church of England Primary Academy on January 5, where he opened the new library, called The Coronation Library, in his honour.

After the trip to the school in Norfolk, he was seen at a Sunday church service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on January 7. He was also pictured going to Crathie Kirk near Balmoral to attend church on January 14.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said at 3.30pm on Wednesday: 'Like thousands of men every year, the King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate.

“His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King's public appearances will be postponed for a short period of recovery.”

It comes as Kensington Palace separately revealed yesterday that the Princess of Wales was being treated in hospital following a successful abdominal operation.

Kate, 42, was admitted to the London Clinic yesterday for the planned procedure and is expected to remain in hospital for 10 to 14 days before returning home. She will then recover and be away from official duties for up to three months.

Kate is not expected to return to public events until after Easter, and her husband Prince William will be by his wife and children's side throughout.

The two health updates on senior royals came within 90 minutes of each other, with Kensington Palace first at 2pm and Buckingham Palace at 3.30pm.

Kate was not rushed to hospital and according to reports, her condition was not something that developed over the weekend.

The prince will also postpone a number of appointments to support his family, and will not take on any official duties while his wife is in hospital.

He will also not perform any official duties in the immediate period following Kate's return home. Royal aides will provide a revised schedule for William in due course.

Kate has a close bond with her family, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and siblings Pippa Matthews and James Middleton will join her and help support her recovery at the Waleses' home in Windsor.

Neither William nor Kate will be traveling internationally in the coming months.

William and Kate were said to be planning a high-profile visit to Rome this spring as part of a European charm offensive, but that is now in doubt.

The princess celebrated her birthday just over a week ago, with the monarchy's official social media accounts sharing a new behind-the-scenes photo of the princess at the king's coronation.

Kate is generally in good health, but was hospitalized earlier in her pregnancy after suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe morning sickness.

A palace spokesperson said at 2pm on Wednesday: 'Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to the London Clinic yesterday for a planned abdominal operation.

'The operation was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on current medical advice, it is unlikely that she will resume her public duties until after Easter.

“The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate. She hopes the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normalcy as possible for her children; and her desire for her personal medical information to remain private.

'Kensington Palace will therefore only provide updates on Her Royal Highness's progress if there is important new information to share.

“The Princess of Wales would like to apologize to everyone involved for having to postpone her upcoming engagements. She looks forward to reinstating as many people as possible as soon as possible.”

Ken Jeong is usually the Masked singer panelist who knows precisely who this is, but in this week’s episode, Robin Thicke is the one who is sure he has the right guess.

In We weeklyIn the exclusive clip from the Wednesday, December 13, episode, Donut tells Robin, 46, that he often hung out with his “sweet, sweet” dad, Alan Thicke.

“That’s so sweet,” Robin says to the mystery participant. “That’s so kind.”

Host Nick Cannon asks if that clue was helpful, but Robin admits it wasn’t. However, the hint strengthened his hypothesis that Donut is Tom Jones.

“My father knew everyone,” Robin says of Alan, who died in 2016 at the age of 69. “But if Donut is who I think he is, I’m a lifelong fan of your voice and your bravado. And my father had said it to me before he died [that] you and him had become friendly.”

Robin also notes the connection to a previous Donut clue package in which the artist revealed that he had lost the love of his life. “All of that is connected to one person in my heart and mind, and that would be Tom Jones, the legendary singer,” Robin explains. (Jones’ wife, Linda Trenchard, died of lung cancer in 2016 at age 76.)

Jenny McCarthy thinks Robin is on to something with his suspicion of Jones because Donut “feels like a legend,” but she decided to flee with clues pointing to a connection to an ’80s TV show.

‘Bo Duke… from The Dukes of Hazzard,” McCarthy, 51, tells her fellow panelists. “It could be Johannes Schneider possible. He knows how to sing. …Ken likes it [that guess]which is scary.”

In addition to Jones, 83, and Schneider, 63, the panelists previously guessed that Donut is a Stanley Tucci, Sylvester Stallone, Engelbert Humperdinck And Liam Neeson.

Donut is one of only six remaining contestants on season 10 of The Masked Singer, which launched in September. Donut, Candelabra and Anteater still have to battle it out for the title of Group C champions before taking on Gazelle, Cow and Sea Queen in the season finale on Wednesday, December 20.

Last month, Ashley Parker Angel – who was unmasked as S’more on November 29 – said he thinks Gazelle or Cow can go to the extreme. “I am a supporter of the group I was in,” he said exclusively We weekly. “Maybe that’s why I’m biased!”

The Masked Singer airs on Fox Wednesdays at 8pm ET.

They enjoyed the sights on a romantic getaway to Paris.

And April Love Geary and Robin Thicke were more in love than ever as they enjoyed a stroll around the French capital during their lavish city break.

The brunette beauty, 29, celebrated her birthday with the Blurred Lines hitmaker, 46, as they left their hotel for a fun lunch.

April cut a stylish figure in a cute black mini dress, matching trench coat and knee-high leather boots.

Ever the supportive husband-to-be, Robin snapped a slew of photos of April as she posed in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower.

While celebrating her 29th birthday, April took to Instagram to share a reflective post where she was “grateful” for Robin and their three children.

She said: ‘I feel very happy and VERY loved today. I am so grateful for my family, my Robin, my friends. I feel the best I’ve ever felt and life is pretty amazing.

‘Thank you all for the birthday wishes, I love you, thank you @robinthicke for always spoiling me, but thank you for planning this birthday trip! I felt like I was a princess.”

In photos shared with her post, April stunned in a stunning black mini dress adorned with diamond details, sheer sleeves and pretty white bows.

April and Robin eagerly documented their trip to Paris in a slew of social media posts, with Robin cutting a dapper figure in a sharp white double-breasted suit.

April shared a series of images of the beautiful festive decorations and completed her look with a matching stylish bucket hat.

The happy couple first met in 2014 after accompanying each other to the Cannes Film Festival.

Thicke was married to his then-wife Paula Patton, whom he divorced in 2015 after more than a decade together. The former couple share a son named Julian, 13.

Two years ago, Robin admitted that he took part in therapy to help the couple through their rough patches.

“Couples therapy has been great for me and April, and it’s been great for me and Paula in terms of co-parenting.”

“We had a few sessions and it really helped us, so I fully believe in therapy,” he said on the podcast Black girls texting.

In 2021, Robin revealed to People that while his career flourished with the release of Blurred Lines, his marriage was in ruins.

“My marriage to Paula was crumbling,” he said. ‘I started taking painkillers. It was a melting pot of problems and I was so arrogant that I thought I could handle it all.”

Thicke moved on with Geary and they started their family with the arrival of daughter Mia, five, in February 2018.

Their daughter Lola was born in February 2019. They later welcomed son Luca in December 2022.

During an earlier interview with Peoplehe opened up about co-parenting with Patton, explaining that their post-divorce relationship has “never been better.”

‘We are at our best when co-parenting, and that is reflected in Julian’s results. It is blooming and has really blossomed this past year. He is so dedicated to school. He’s the opposite of me.’

‘I was the class clown in the back row. He stands at the front of the class and loves going to school,” Robin said, adding, “I’m the proudest dad because he’s really that kind of kid at home.”

Amanda Knox and husband Christopher Robin have welcomed their second baby, a boy.

“The birth was really ideal as far as birth goes,” Knox, 36, told the duo’s listeners. Podcast ‘Youth’ on Wednesday, November 29. “It was a very cold room. This time it was just Chris and I.”

She recalled her husband, 36, “reading poetry to her” while she was in labor. “But then I got an epidural and then I was calm,” Knox said.

Knox shared that the couple’s son, Echo, was born on September 23 at 9:23 p.m. and weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces.

‘Amanda pushed three times. She pushed nine times in three contractions… and on the third contraction the baby came out,” Robin revealed on the podcast. “He was perfect,” Knox said.

The couple, who tied the knot in 2018, also share daughter Eureka, 2.

“I would say the first time with Eureka was more shocking. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before,” Knox said Wednesday as he compared the two birth moments. “It’s still great. It’s still very cool. But the shock of it was definitely more on Eureka.

Although Knox had a seamless pregnancy this round, she found that things weren’t as easy when they returned from the hospital. “Chris spent at least the first day… you couldn’t help me because you had some kind of stomach flu,” Knox recalled.

Much to her chagrin, she recalled the “doubly disturbing” solo of the first few days. “My biggest concern at the time was making sure the baby didn’t get sick. Basically I was like, ‘Chris stay away from the baby,'” Knox added. “Now that I think about it, those were a rough few days.”

Once the family was healthy again, Knox said everything started to come together. That convenience has extended to big sister Eureka. “Eureka has been such a great champion. She has been so sweet to him since she met him,” she continued.

Knox came into the spotlight in 2007 when she was accused of killing her roommate, Meredith Kercher, while they were studying abroad in Perugia, Italy. Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison after she and her then-boyfriend were convicted Raffaele Sollecito were both convicted of the crime despite a lack of evidence.

In 2011, an appeals court found the former couple not guilty, but three years later they were found guilty again at a retrial. The Supreme Court of Cassation, Italy’s highest court, ruled in 2015 that the murder case was unfounded, and both were acquitted.

Rudy Guede was sentenced to 30 years in 2008 for Kercher’s murder after his DNA was identified at the crime scene. His sentence was later reduced and he was released from prison in November 2021.

Just weeks after welcoming her second baby, Knox announced on social media that she is “on trial again in Italy.” However, she noted in October that it was a “good thing” as it will hopefully earn her a full acquittal of her “wrongful accusation of defamation.” (She was acquitted of the murder charge, but the Italian court upheld her defamation conviction after she wrongly accused the cafe owner Patrick Lumumba at the murder.)

Hij is het boegbeeld van de kletsende klassen en kunstwereld van het land – een man die geroemd wordt vanwege het maken van werken die de draak steken met het establishment, terwijl hij, zoals bekend, zijn identiteit verbergt.

Onder het pseudoniem Banksy is hij een wereldster geworden met een geschat fortuin van £ 50 miljoen. Zijn Girl With Balloon wordt beoordeeld als ‘het meest geliefde kunstwerk van het land’ en is populairder dan The Hay Wain van John Constable. De resultaten kwamen uit een opiniepeiling, gebaseerd op een lijst samengesteld door kunstschrijvers, waaronder de mediacorrespondent van The Observer.

Maar achter al deze heldenverering schuilt een flagrante hypocrisie.

Banksy’s reputatie en financiële aantrekkingskracht berusten op de mystiek van zijn anonimiteit. En hoewel zijn echte naam al vijftien jaar algemeen bekend is, slagen de kruiperige fans van Banksy er, dankzij een onderzoek van Mail on Sunday, in om dit feit te negeren.

In plaats van hem bij zijn echte naam te noemen – Robin Gunningham – is er een surrealistische omerta, waarbij zijn ware identiteit opzettelijk wordt gecamoufleerd.

Dit stelt hem volgens kunstkenners in staat zijn zorgvuldig gekoesterde imago als ‘de Scarlet Pimpernel van de moderne kunst’ uit te buiten en nog meer geld te verdienen als iemand die zijn street-cred als een hairshirt draagt.

Michel Boersma, curator van tentoonstelling The Art of Banksy, in de Londense Regent Street, is ‘ervan overtuigd’ dat mensen de identiteit van deze Robin Hood van de kunst niet willen weten.

Hij zegt: ‘Het publiek wil niet dat het mysterie stopt, want het is een mooi sprookje. De kunstwereld wil niet dat zijn identiteit bekend wordt, omdat dat de mystiek wegneemt – en mystiek levert geld op.’

In 2008 onthulde het MoS de echte naam van Banksy, gepubliceerd naast een foto van hem op straat met een verfspuitbus. Maar een nieuw werk van ‘straatkunstenaar en politiek activist’ Banksy is ongetwijfeld veel meer waard dan een werk van Robin Gunningham, een vijftigjarige voormalig openbare schooljongen, opgegroeid in een gelukkig middenklassegezin.

Het verhaal van de kunstenaar wordt opnieuw ter sprake gebracht met een tiendelige BBC Radio 4-podcast, The Banksy Story, die eerder dit jaar verscheen. Vorige week werd in de podcast het verloren Banksy-interview, opgenomen in 2003, opnieuw uitgezonden.

In de twintig jaar oude discussie lijkt de entertainmentredacteur van de BBC, die Gunningham interviewt, zijn bewering dat zijn echte naam ‘Robbie Banks’ is – een ogenschijnlijk toneelstuk over Robin Hood, dat aansluit bij het idee van een volksheld die steelt van de rijken en geeft aan de armen.

Volgens de podcast werd het interview opgenomen in de aanloop naar de dertigste verjaardag van de kunstenaar, toen hij zijn debuuttentoonstelling Turf War aan het installeren was in een pakhuis in Hackney, Oost-Londen.

De show bevatte een portret van koningin Elizabeth II als chimpansee, een portret van Winston Churchill met een Mohican van gras en twee levende varkens geschilderd in de blauw-witte ruit gedragen door de Met Police.

In het interview zei Banksy dat zijn werk een ‘viering van vandalisme’ was. Hij voegde eraan toe: ‘Het gaat over gerechtigheid. Als je ooit het rechtssysteem hebt beledigd, word je erg sceptisch over alles, dus ik denk dat ik het graag een beetje op zijn kop zet. Ik wil uitzoeken wie echt de goede jongens zijn.’

Ook geeft hij toe een crimineel te zijn: ‘Als het goed wordt gedaan, is het illegaal.’

Vijf jaar later, na een onderzoek waarin het MoS met tientallen vrienden, oud-collega’s, huisgenoten en leden van zijn familie sprak, onthulden we dat Banksy geen radicale afscheiding was van een gemeentehuis in de binnenstad. In plaats daarvan is de kunstenaar de zoon van voormalig contractmanager Peter Gunningham en zijn vrouw, secretaris van de bedrijfsdirecteur Pamela, en groeide hij op in een van de meest elegante wijken van Bristol. Het is moeilijk voor te stellen dat Banksy, de anti-autoritaire afvallige, als de openbare schooljongen die hij was op de Bristol Cathedral School, ronddwaalde in het 17e-eeuwse voormalige klooster. Maar medeleerlingen herinneren zich Gunningham als een begenadigd kunstenaar.

Scott Nurse, een verzekeringsmakelaar die in zijn klas zat, zei: ‘Hij was buitengewoon getalenteerd in kunst. Het verbaast mij helemaal niet als hij Banksy is.’

Terwijl hij op school zat, raakte Gunningham geïnteresseerd in graffiti, geïnspireerd door Robert Del Naja van de lokale band Massive Attack, die naar verluidt een van de eerste graffitikunstenaars in Bristol was en die de naam 3D droeg. De twee zijn inmiddels vrienden geworden en het MoS heeft een foto van hen samen gevonden.

Terwijl hij zijn agit-prop-imago verfraaide tijdens een interview met het popcultuurtijdschrift Swindle in 2006, zei Banksy: ‘Toen ik ongeveer tien jaar oud was, was een kind dat 3D heette, hard aan het schilderen op straat.

‘Ik denk dat hij in New York was geweest en de eerste was die spuitverf mee terug naar Bristol bracht. Ik ben opgegroeid met het zien van spuitverf op straat, lang voordat ik het ooit in een tijdschrift of op een computer zag… Graffiti was iets waar we allemaal van hielden op school… Iedereen deed het.’

Gunningham verliet de school op 16-jarige leeftijd en begon zich met straatkunst bezig te houden.

Het jaar daarop arresteerde de undercoverpolitie, als onderdeel van Operatie Anderson, 72 kunstenaars in heel Groot-Brittannië op beschuldiging van strafrechtelijke schade. Tot de arrestanten behoorde Tom Bingle, een graffitikunstenaar die wordt erkend als Banksy’s partner in crime, die nu zijn eigen kunstbedrijf runt, genaamd Inkie. Hij werd vrijgesproken.

Gunningham werd niet gearresteerd en er zijn geen gegevens dat hij is aangehouden. Maar de kunstenaar heeft toegegeven dat hij inmiddels een expert was geworden in het ontwijken van de politie, daarbij geholpen door het feit dat zijn naam, totdat hij door het MoS werd onthuld, een mysterie was.

In zijn boek Wall And Piece zei Banksy: ‘Toen ik 18 was, probeerde ik een nacht ‘weer laat’ in grote zilveren bellenletters op de zijkant van een passagierstrein te schilderen. De Britse transportpolitie kwam opdagen en ik werd aan flarden gescheurd toen ik door een doornige struik wegrende.

‘De rest van mijn vrienden bereikten de auto en verdwenen, dus ik heb meer dan een uur verborgen onder een kiepwagen doorgebracht terwijl de motorolie over me heen lekte.’

In 2003 woonde Banksy in Londen en begon hij stencils te gebruiken, waarmee hij onderscheidende, herkenbare afbeeldingen ontwikkelde, zoals ratten en politieagenten, die zijn anti-autoritaire boodschap overbrachten. In oktober van dat jaar sloop hij verkleed als gepensioneerde de Tate Gallery binnen en plakte een foto aan de muur. Het beeld bleef daar twee en een half uur staan.

Hij was gearriveerd.

Sindsdien heeft hij werken verkocht aan zangeres Christina Aguilera – die een pornografische foto bezit van koningin Victoria met een prostituee – en actrice Angelina Jolie, die een draai heeft aan een Manet-schilderij waarin een blanke familielunch onder een paraplu wordt gadegeslagen door vijftien uitgehongerde vrouwen. Afrikanen. Hij creëerde ook het artwork voor Blur’s Think Tank-album. In 2006 trouwde Gunningham in Las Vegas met Joy Millward, een voormalig onderzoeker voor het Labour-parlementslid Austin Mitchell.

Sindsdien heeft hij een fortuin van meerdere miljoenen ponden verdiend.

Zijn duurste werk dat op een veiling wordt verkocht, is zijn Love Is In The Bin-werk, dat in 2021 bij Sotheby’s voor £ 18,6 miljoen werd verkocht.

Het is een bewerking van zijn muurschildering uit 2002, Girl With Balloon, en werd in 2018 berucht nadat het zichzelf binnen enkele seconden nadat het voor meer dan £ 1 miljoen was verkocht, vernietigde, door de onderkant van het frame gleed en versnipperde.

Nadat hij door de MoS was geïdentificeerd, heeft Banksy geen ontkenning uitgesproken, maar zei hij: ‘Ik kan geen commentaar geven op wie wel of niet Banksy is.’

Maar in 2016 maakten wetenschappers van de Londense Queen Mary University gebruik van ‘geografische profilering’ – normaal gesproken gebruikt om criminelen te vangen of de verspreiding van ziekten te volgen – om te zeggen dat Gunningham ‘de enige serieuze verdachte’ was.

Ze brachten de locaties van 192 van Banksy’s vermoedelijke kunstwerken in kaart en vonden ‘hotspots’ die verband hielden met een pub, speelvelden en huizen die nauw verbonden waren met Gunningham, zijn vrienden en familie.

Het jaar daarop ontdekte het MoS een foto van de kunstenaar, gekleed in een veiligheidsjasje, terwijl hij aan een van zijn stukken aan het werk was: een gigantische witte rat die in 2004 in de verlaten White Horse-pub in Liverpool werd beklad.

De fotograaf, gemaakt door Christopher Wilson, zei over Gunninghams identiteit: ‘Het is onmogelijk dat iemand het bewijsmateriaal nu kan negeren.’

En in 2018 werden twee kunstwerken (cassettehoezen op albums van de band Mother Samosa uit Bristol en gesigneerd door Gunningham) op de markt gebracht door de internetdealer MyArtBroker, met een geschatte waarde van £ 4.000.

De albums zijn opgenomen in studio’s in Bristol door Martin Smith, die zei: ‘Ik herinner me hem [Gunningham] op pad gaan op de fiets met voorop een mandje met stencils erin. Hij zei tegen mij: ‘Ik ga mijn naam veranderen in Robin Banks. Wat denk je?’ Smith spoorde hem aan om het te doen – en zo zei Banksy in het interview in 2003 dat zijn naam ‘Robbie Banks’ was.

Eerder deze maand werd verwacht dat Banksy formeel zou worden ontmaskerd vanwege een smaadclaim van £1,4 miljoen tegen hem.

De zaak is aangespannen door Andrew Gallagher, een graffitifotograaf en eigenaar van kunstlicentiebedrijf Full Color Black, dat samenwerkte met kledingmerk Guess aan een ‘Graffiti by Banksy’-etalage, met het beroemde stuk Flower Bomber.

Als reactie plaatste Banksy op Instagram: ‘Alle winkeldieven opgelet. Ga naar Guess in Regent Street. Ze hebben zichzelf ongevraagd aan mijn kunstwerken geholpen. Hoe kan het verkeerd zijn om hetzelfde met hun kleding te doen?’

Gallagher beweert dat de boodschap ‘bij wijze van insinuatie bedoelde en zo werd begrepen’ dat hij Banksy’s kunstwerken zonder toestemming had gestolen.

Als Banksy een verdediging had ingediend, had hij zijn echte naam moeten opgeven, maar hij heeft nu een deadline gemist voor het indienen van opmerkingen.

Volgens MyArtBroker ‘is de cultus van Banksy gedeeltelijk te danken aan zijn anonimiteit. Zijn onduidelijkheid is inherent aan het merk.

‘Misschien is het het sensatiezucht van de zogenaamde ‘geniale kunstenaar’ die onze nieuwsgierigheid prikkelt, of misschien komt het omdat de identiteit van een kunstenaar zo fundamenteel is voor de betekenis van hun werk.’

Zeker, ‘de cultus van Banksy’ klinkt veel beter – en veel, veel meer commercieel potentieel – dan de ‘cultus van Robin Gunningham’.

Robin Williams’ son Zak uses the trauma he suffered after his father’s death to help others.

The 40-year-old actor and producer co-founded a supplement company called PYM, which stands for Prepare Your Mind. Pym is also the entrepreneur’s middle name.

The products include chewable tablets, pills and powders.

After the late comedian’s death by suicide in 2014 at the age of 63, Zak recounted CBS NewsLos Angeles he was diagnosed with “complex post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression.”

Robin had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at the time of his death.

According to the Oscar winner’s widow, Susan Schneider, he experienced depression, anxiety and increasing paranoia.

The National Institute on Aging reports ‘mental and behavioral changes, sleep problems, depression’ are symptoms of the degenerative condition.

According to the PYM website, Olivia suggested to Zak that she try the amino acid nutritional supplements she had been taking to regulate her mood.

The Cleveland Clinic says amino acids “break down food” and “grow and repair body tissue.”

They also “create hormones and brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) and support a normal digestive system,” among other benefits.

PYN’s co-founder and CEO said he was initially skeptical that the change in his gut microbiome could have such an impact on his mind.

He revealed that his anxiety improved within two days of starting the supplements and his depression got better within two weeks.

An article from February 2022 in Sciencereported: “People with … mood disorders, for example, are deficient in certain key bacteria in their guts.”

Zak has been an ardent mental health advocate since his father’s death and often traveled to various conferences to talk about the importance of mental wellbeing.

‘I think a term that really appeals to me is ‘post-traumatic growth’. How can we find ways to heal ourselves so that we can help and support others?’ he explained.

“There is unnecessary suffering as a result of not knowing the full toolkit at hand that you can use to manage mental well-being,” he said, adding that he hoped to remove the stigma surrounding mental health.

Zak and Olivia, the parents of Mickey, four, and Zola, two, explained his passion for helping.

“With my own perspective, but that’s how I try to continue doing what we love to do in our family, which is to be helpful and help people find healing and happiness.”