Robert appeared on former Strictly contestant Scott Mill’s BBC Radio 1 show earlier today to announce the news.
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Sherlock star Cumberbatch also officiated when Rinder Wednesday his partner Seth Cummings in a civil ceremony in Ibiza in 2013.
Asked about being judged by Craig Revel Horwood, he said: “If I’m rubbish and he says so, I shall have to admit it”.
Joseph said she was both “scared and excited and apprehensive and thrilled” while Empson said it was “a dream”.
The 39-year-old said: “I have been avoiding every group conversation, I have been avoiding telephone calls, it is just mad!” “I hope I have a partner who can teach me a lot because I’ve no idea!” “So I can do that one”.
Discussing his fellow contestants, Rinder said he had initially thought pop star Anastacia was “the surviving princess of Russia”, while the name Melvin Odoom “sounds like something from Lord of the Rings”.
Strictly Come Dancing – The Launch Show will be broadcast on BBC One on Saturday September 3, where the 15 celebrity contestants will discover which professional dancer they will be paired with as their journey towards the famous Glitterball Trophy begins.
Robert is known to millions for his ITV show 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.
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He joins a line-up of would-be waltzers including former shadow chancellor Ed Balls, Olympic gymnast Claudia Frangapane and singer Will Young.
