Ubiquitous criminal barrister’s ascent to national treasure status continues
Judge Robert Rinder has become the 12th celebrity to sign up to BBC hit show Strictly Come Dancing.
Rinder — who is a criminal barrister at Temple’s 2 Hare Court — will swap his gown for sequins when this year’s series of the show airs on 3 September.
Speaking to former Strictly contestant Scott Mills on BBC Radio 1 earlier today, Rinder said:
The only thing I knew would make my grandmother more proud than watching my TV courtroom was to see me dressed up in white tie doing the foxtrot. So although I suspect the latter will be far more difficult, I am doing Strictly Come Dancing for her.
The 38-year-old first hit TV screens in 2014, starring in ITV’s daytime show Judge Rinder. Quickly becoming the UK’s answer to Judge Judy, the barrister has become a household name, handing down civil rulings in his own unique sassy way. The fact that his own specialisation at the bar is financial crime has never seemed to get in the way.
Rinder — who graduated with a first in politics and modern history from the University of Manchester — is married to in-house barrister Seth Cumming. When the pair got hitched on the island of Ibiza, actor and close friend Benedict Cumberbatch officiated the ceremony.
The honorary judge will join on the show former shadow chancellor Ed Balls, Hollyoaks former actor Danny Mac, BBC presenter Naga Munchetty, and singers Louise Redknapp and Will Young, to name but a few.