Judge Robert Rinder recently discovered his family's harrowing past on Who Do You Think You Are?
Robert Rinder is the criminal law barrister who stars in TV show Judge Rinder who recently left fans in tears after following his family tree on BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?
The ex Strictly Come Dancing contestant traced his roots back to Poland and learned that his grandfather suffered at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust.
Viewers were left heartbroken as Judge Rinder found out the names of his grandfather Morris' sisters for the first time on what would have been his birthday.
Check out: Can you remember all these Strictly Come Dancing winners?
Strictly Come Dancing Winners - slider
1 of 16Series 1 winner – Natasha Kaplinsky
Natasha was our first EVER Strictly winner. The television presenter graced our screens in 2004 alongside her dancing partner Brendan Cole.She won the show dancing the Quickstep (36 points), the Samba (31 points) and the Showdance (35 points).Natasha has since returned to presenting and you can see her on ITV news.
2 of 16Series 2 – Jill Halfpenny
Actress Jill won series two with her dancing partner Darren Bennett. She took the crown from Natasha dancing the Foxtrot (34 points) and the Jive (40 points).The actress who has previously starred in EastEnders, Coronation Street and Waterloo Road.
3 of 16Series 3 – Darren Gough
In 2005 Darren became the first man to win Strictly.He won the show dancing the Foxtrot (36 points) and the Paso Doble (36 points) alongside his partner Lilia Kopylova.Darren and Lilia also won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special in 2005.He retired from cricket in 2008 and has since been presenting a radio show on talkSPORT.
4 of 16Mark Ramprakash
Mark won the BBC show back in 2006.With his professional partner Karen Hardy they won the show dancing the Tango (34 points), the Salsa (40 points) and the Samba (36 points).Mark is now the England cricket team's batting coach.
5 of 16Series 5 – Alesha Dixon
Alesha Dixon won series five of the show in 2007.The singer won the BBC show dancing the Waltz (39 points), the Cha Cha Cha (38 points) and the Jive (35 points) alongside her partner Matthew Cutler.Alesha later became a judge on the show during series seven, eight and nine.She has continued making music and if you watch ITV's Britain's Got Talent then you'll see her as a judge on there.
6 of 16Series 6 – Tom Chambers
Back in 2008, viewers saw Tom win the glitterball trophy.Alongside his partner Camilla Dallerup he won the show dancing the Foxtrot (35 points) and the Salsa (38 points).Since winning the show, Tom has continued acting.
7 of 16Series 7 – Chris Hollins
The news presenter won the show in 2009 during the seventh series.Alongside his partner Ola Jordan, Chris won the show dancing the Foxtrot (46 points), the Charleston (50 points), the Lindy Hop (44 points) and the Showdance (46 points).Chris has continued presenting and recently co-presented the TV show, Secret Britain.
8 of 16Series 8 – Kara Tointon
The former EastEnders actress won series eight of Strictly in 2010.Kara won the show dancing the Rumba (39 points), the Showdance (36 points), the Waltz (38 points) and the American Smooth (37 points) with her partner Artem Chigvintsev.After three years of dating her dance partner Artem the pair split. The former EastEnders actress has continued acting and earlier this year after announcing she's engaged, the TV star left everyone wondering whether she's pregnant after she was pictured 'cradling' her belly.
9 of 16Series 9 – Harry Judd
The McFly drummer won series ten of the BBC show in 2012 with his partner Aliona Vilani.He danced the Quickstep (40 points), the Showdance (37 points), American Smooth (39 points) and the Tango (40 points) in the final.Harry has since returned to the band McFly and is now a dad to Lola and Kit with his wife Izzy.
10 of 16Series 10 – Louis Smith
The Olympic gymnast won the show in 2012.Louis won the show with his partner Flavia Cacace and in the final they danced the Salsa (39 points), the Charleston (39 points) and the Showdance (40 points).Since winning Strictly, Louis has continued to represent Great Britain in the Olympics.
11 of 16Series 11 – Abbey Clancy
The Britain's Next Top Model runner up won Strictly in 2013.With her partner Aljaz Skorjanec, she won the show dancing the Waltz (40 points), the Showdance (38 points) and the Quickstep (38 points).Since the show, Abbey has returned to Britain's Next Top Model as the host.
12 of 16Series 12 – Caroline Flack
The former X Factor presenter won Strictly in 2014.In the final along with her partner Pasha Kovalev, she danced the Cha Cha Cha (40 points), the Showdance (40 points) and the Charleston (40 points).After the show Caroline has presented The X Factor (alongside Olly Murs), Text Santa and of course, Love Island before her death in 2020, aged just 40.
13 of 16Series 13 – Jay McGuiness
Following in the footsteps of McFly's Harry Judge, The Wanted boyband member Jay McGuiness won the BBC show in 2015.With his partner Aliona Vilani, Jay danced the Quickstep (36 points), the Showdance (35 points) and the Paso Doble (39 points).After winning the show he starred in the musical Big and went on to win Celebrity Hunted with his former bandmate Siva Kaneswaran.
14 of 16Series 14 - Ore Oduba
TV presenter Ore Oduba won the glitterball trophy in 2016 alongside his partner Joanne Clifton.During the final the pair danced to American Smooth (39 points) and they scored a whopping 40 points for the Showdance and the Jive.After winning the show, Ore has welcomed his first child into the world with his wife Portia and has continued presenting.
15 of 16Series 15 - Joe McFadden
Actor Joe McFadden and his professional dance partner Kayta Jones won Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.They managed to win the judges and the public over with the Showdance (39 points), Vienesse Waltz (39 points) and Charleston (40 points).Not only did he win Strictly but the 42-year-old actor broke a record and became the oldest ever winner of the show. Go Joe!Strictly 2017 winner has continued actor after getting the glitterball trophy.
16 of 16Series 16 - Stacey Dooley
Stacey Dooley won this year's Strictly with her professional dance partner Kevin Clifton.
So we thought we'd do our own digging and find out everything there is to know about Robert Rinder.
Despite having had his show Judge Rinder since 2014, little was known about the "Simon Cowell of the bench" until his participation in Strictly.
Let's find out more...
How old is Robert Rinder?
Robert was born on 31 May 1978. He was born in Westminster, London and is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor.
Judge Rinder partner
Judge Rinder split from his partner of 11 years in 2018.
It was reported in January that Robert had split from Seth after five years of marriage.
A source told The Sun: "It’s very sad news but Rob is separating from his partner of 11-and-a-half-years.
"He’s very upset about the situation, but the split is amicable and no-one else is involved. Rob has never spoken about his relationship and nothing will change on that front."
They added: "He very much wants to focus on his work, including Judge Rinder on ITV which he absolutely adores.
Is Judge Rinder married?
Judge Rinder married his partner Seth Cummings in a civil ceremony officiated by friend and actor Benedict Cumberbatch in Ibiza in 2013.
Robert returned the favour and was Benedict's best man at his wedding to Sophie Hunter in 2015.
A source said: "Benedict had three best men, and he wanted genuine old friends in the role. They were friends before either found fame."
Are Judge Rinder and Benedict Cumberbatch friends?
Yep, they both went to university in Manchester together and have been good friends ever since.
We know – who'd have thought it?!
Is Judge Rinder gay?
Yes, Judge Rinder is openly gay.
Is Judge Rinder a real barrister?
Robert gained a double First Class Honours degree in Politics and Modern History at the University of Manchester, and went on to specialise in international fraud, money laundering and other forms of financial crime.
Although not a real-life judge, Robert worked for 12 years at 2 Hare Court law-firm before landing his role on the show.
He also published a book in 2014 – Rinder's Rules: Make the Law Work for You!, which highlights a simple guide to making the law work for anyone and everyone.
Is the TV show Judge Rinder real?
Judge Rinder has proved a massive hit with daytime viewers since it first aired in 2014.
Robert approached ITV with the idea for a show, as script writing is his hobby, but originally pitched for the show to be like seventies drama Crown Court. However, ITV decided they wanted a Judge Judy style instead, and wanted Robert to front it.
There are a few things in the show that aren't entirely accurate.
First of all, gavels aren't actually used in UK trials, and the courtroom is based on an American court – most likely because it's makes for more dramatic viewing.
The robes Judge Rinder wears are actually regular barristers' robes without the wig, and in England and Wales, most small claim trials are conducted in District Judges' Chambers.
As well as this, the parties aren't represented by a solicitor or barrister and Rinder questions them both himself.
When asked what the toughest part of working on the show was, Robert told Legal Cheek: "I broke down in a fit of laughter during a case involving a mother and daughter suing and counter-suing each other.
"But I insisted that the production team keep the scene in."
However, he did insist that the law community are behind the show, as he told Digital Spy: "There's real integrity. The legal principles that are applied are absolutely the same principle that would be supplied in a small claims court.
"I would never ridicule somebody for the public's entertainment. I really wouldn't, and I speak to the people who come on the show as I would my own clients…"
In June, he also started presenting Judge Rinder's Crime Stories on ITV.
Was Judge Rinder on Strictly Come Dancing?
After the success of his show, Judge Rinder always wanted to look for other opportunites, telling the press: "My career, moving forward, is more in the media than at the bar."
However, he was a bit concerned about how his colleagues would react to the glitter and costumes: "I had a slight reservation before I started the show about how my colleagues in the law would react to seeing me covered in fake tan and sequins – or indeed, dressed as a Flintstone patting (dancing partner) Oksana's bottom like a bongo.
"But Strictly's so well loved, I knew they'd view it in the spirit it's intended."
How can you get tickets for Judge Rinder?
You can register to be in with a chance to be in the audience here.
You have to be 18 or over and they're completely free!
Or if you need to settle a dispute, you can apply to be on the show yourself here.
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Does Judge Rinder have Twitter and Instagram?
The judge from telly is currently not on Instagram (avocados and puppies aren't everyone's cup of tea) but he does have Twitter.
His personal account is @robbierinder
His work account (ooh er) is - @JudgeRindertv.