General · 12 February 2026
Jury links dancer's death to debt and rejection
A jury at West London Coroner's Court concluded that the 44-year-old former Strictly professional ended his life inside a London hotel this February. The verdict cited childhood trauma, professional rejection, and increasing financial debts as key reasons for his mental health decline. Friends including Lisa Riley told the court that leaving the show in 2014 left him struggling with depression and feelings of failure.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs