TV legal whizz Judge Rinder signs up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing
The Sun can reveal BBC bosses have signed up the star for the show's 14th series
He is usually dishing out his caustic put-downs to defendants who dare to enter his no-nonsense courtroom.
But JUDGE RINDER is now set to be on the receiving end of some ferocious comments.
I can exclusively reveal The Sun’s legal expert – real name Robert Rinder - has signed up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
BBC bosses were desperate to get him on the show to compete with catty judge CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD in a war of words.
A source said “Anybody who has watched Judge Rinder will know that he is going to be a brilliant match for Craig.
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“Producers hope they will go for each other and are predicting that new viewers will tune in just to see them go head-to-head.
“We don’t know whether he can dance or has a background in it, but we know he certainly is entertaining. That’s what people want.”
The ITV star might find his stage background comes in handy as he attended the National Theatre school alongside MATT LUCAS and DAVID WALLIAMS.
But he admitted he was forced to give up acting for a career in the law when he went for the same part as close pal BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH.
He revealed: “I thought I’d done well, and then I saw him deliver exactly the same lines and it was so different.
“He had a fizz, a chemistry and an understanding of the text that you just knew was what the writer wanted it to sound like.”
He has managed to stay close friends with the Sherlock star and he even officiated his Ibiza wedding to husband Seth Cummin in 2013.
Benedict asked him to return the favour and be his best man when he wed Sophie Hunter last year.
At least Judge Rinder doesn’t have to worry about Benedict showing him up on Strictly.
A show source revealed: "The judge is in talks to be on the show but a contract hasn't been signed."
A BBC spokesman said: "We don't comment on speculation".
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