The TV judge joined former ‘Strictly’ contestant Scott Mills on his Radio 1 show on Monday (22 August) to confirm he was taking part in the new series.
And it doesn’t sound like he’ll be putting up with much when he does take to the dancefloor.
“If people are off or mean I will tell everybody,” he told Scott. “As long as people aren’t divaish I should be fine.”
He then made a not-so-thinly-veiled dig at a certain judge, saying: “As far as anybody can see I‘m the one who can raise an eyebrow unassisted.”
Ouch.
He added that taking part in ‘Strictly’ would be the only thing to make a certain family member proud.
“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,” he said.
“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” said Robert.
Hmmm, we’re predicting fireworks.
So far, this year’s Strictly’ line-up is looking like one of their best yet, and Anastacia will be competing against stars including Ed Balls, Will Young and BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty.
Laura Whitmore will also be fighting it out in a bid to win the Glitterball Trophy, along with Daisy Lowe, former ‘Hollyoaks’ actor Danny Mac, Louise Redknapp, Ore Oduba and Melvin Odom.
The new series of ‘Strictly’ returns to BBC One on Saturday, 3 September.
Judge Rinder: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds
1. He genuinely knows his stuff(01 of09)
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He might be a barrister rather than a real-life judge, but Judge Rinder really knows his stuff, having worked as a barrister for the 2 Hare Court law-firm for 12 years before landing his job as a daytime TV star. (credit:Rex/Ken McKay/ITV)
2. He never intended to be a TV star(02 of09)
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During his days as a barrister, Robert Rinder says he never actually wanted to be a TV star, but has told the Daily Mail that getting his current job was "an exquisite accident", which came because he was doing "a little scriptwriting on the side". (credit:Steve Meddle/Rex/ITV)
3. He insists he's not "too mean"(03 of09)
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Despite some people thinking he might go too far with his putdowns - which he insists he comes up with completely by himself - he told Digital Spy: "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." (credit:ITV)
4. He might want to put that gavel down, to be honest.(04 of09)
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Despite his penchant for enthusiastically banging his gavel, they aren't actually used in UK trials, which has been one of the biggest qualms that more pedantic viewers have had with the show. (credit:ITV)
5. Benedict Cumberbatch is his good mate.(05 of09)
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Judge Rinder and Benedict Cumberbatch are actually good friends from university - so much so that he was the best man at the 'Sherlock' actor's wedding to Sophie Hunter in February 2015.Even more impressively, Benedict was specially ordained so that he could perform the ceremony when Judge Rinder married his husband in 2013.Let's keep our fingers crossed that one day they collaborate on some kind of 'Judge Rinder'/'Sherlock' crossover episode. (credit:Brian To/WENN)
6. Even the celebs are flocking to his court-room(06 of09)
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In one memorable episode of 'Judge Rinder', Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace appeared in his court room because she had a grievance with her former 'Big Brother' housemate, Michael Cheshire.Sadly Nicola McLean did not put in an appearance, marking the first time the two had spent more than 10 minutes apart in the past five years. (credit:ITV)
7. He says not laughing is the toughest part of his job(07 of09)
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When quizzed by Legal Cheek about what has been the biggest 'nightmare' since launching his TV career, he claimed: "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.” (credit:WENN)
8. Fitness and justice are his two passions(08 of09)
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Away from his faux courtroom, Judge Rinder is actually a fitness fanatic, and has run marathons in both New York and London. (credit:ITV)
9. The legal community has embraced 'Judge Rinder'(09 of09)
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Let's face it, 'Judge Rinder' isn't exactly 'Question Time' when it comes to high-brow viewing, but he is insistent that the law community are behind the show.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." (credit:ITV/This Morning)