Twelfth celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2016 confirmed

Published: 22 August 2016

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
— Robert ‘Judge’ Rinder

The announcement was made today (Monday 22 August) when Robert joined former Strictly Contestant Scott Mills on his show on BBC Radio 1 to confirm he would be taking part in the brand new series.

“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. No doubt the judges will be as fair, kind and thoughtful as me (especially the charming Craig Revel Horwood ). I shall await their verdicts,” says Robert.

Robert stars in the ITV series Judge Rinder, where his role as judge allows him to oversee a variety of cases, including disputes over basic consumer issues, business and neighbourhood disputes and allegations of negligence. Robert has also presented further programmes including Judge Rinder’s True Crime Stories and in addition to his work in TV and as a barrister he also writes a column in The Sun and has presented radio shows on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC London Radio.

The final three celebrity contestants taking to the dancefloor in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing will join presenters Alex Jones and Patrick Kielty on The One Show this evening at 7pm on BBC One.

Notes to Editors
Judge Rinder joins Ed Balls, Will Young, Laura Whitmore, Ore Oduba, Melvin Odoom, Louise Redknapp, Danny Mac, Daisy Lowe, Naga Munchetty, Anastacia and Claudia Fragapane who have already been announced as contestants for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Produced by BBC Studios, Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One for its 14th series in September 2016.

BBC Studios is the BBC’s main TV production arm, producing award-winning, bold, British, creative content across TV and digital platforms. BBC Studios create a wide range of programming across drama, comedy, entertainment, music, events and factual. From Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who and Mrs Brown’s Boys to Glastonbury, Big Blue Live and Life and Death Row, BBC Studios' programmes are renowned for their quality and are valued by audiences around the world.

With bases in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Salford, Cardiff, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dumbarton and Belfast, BBC Studios reflects and represents the diverse voices and creative talent from around the UK.

Pictured: Scott Mills, Robert ‘Judge’ Rinder, Chris Stark

KP2