Strictly Come Dancing star Judge Rinder slams rivals’ unfair advantage and says he less time… because he actually works
The TV judge says his day-to-day work responsibilities leave him with little time to practise his routine while other contestants have unlimited hours to rehearse
STRICTLY’S Judge Rinder has taken a thinly-veiled swipe at his fellow contestants by predicting he’ll be next for the chop - because he actually has a job.
The criminal barrister turned TV judge, 40, believes combining his TV show and Strictly training is affecting his development, something his rivals don’t need to worry about.
Celebrities eliminated from the competition so far - radio presenter Melvin Odoom, actresses Tameka Empson and Lesley Joseph, and newsreader Naga Munchetty - have all juggled Strictly with work commitments.
But the likes of retired politician Ed Balls, singer Anastacia, ex-Olympians Claudia Fragapane and Greg Rutherford, have no day-to-day work responsibilities.
He said: “There’s definitely something in that. I’m filming Judge Rinder a couple of days a week now and I’m one of the only ones left with such a big commitment. There just aren’t enough hours.
“But it is what it is. A friend was involved in a case last week to determine who is the legitimate government of Libya. When she asked why I was down and I said, ‘Well, I was very disappointed at my energy level in the Viennese Waltz,’ it put it all into a bit more perspective.”
The Judge - real name Robert - has become a cult favourite on the show due to his unusual facial expressions while he dances with Ukrainian Oksana Platero, 27.
Talking to this week’s Radio Times he said:”I don’t practise them in the mirror. They have emerged as part of me and I have no control over them.
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"To be fair, you try keeping a straight face wearing Lederhosen and dancing to Boom Bang-a-Bang with a plastic cow! Frankly, that song ought to be banned under the Human Rights Act – listening to it on repeat was a cruel and unusual punishment.”
I’m Outta Love singer Anastacia, 48, is the favourite to go this weekend.
