Rob Rinder life off-screen including Ibiza wedding and famous best pal

Rob Rinder is back on the telly with another travel series, this time partnering up with Rylan Clark as they set off for India.

Following the massive success of their previous three-part BBC Two series, Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour, which bagged a BAFTA TV Award, the dynamic duo are ready to entertain us once again.

Rob isn't new to the small screen, having made his mark at ITV, initially through his show Judge Rinder and more recently, as a guest presenter on programmes like Good Morning Britain.

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As Rob makes his comeback alongside co-star Rylan, let's delve into his life off-screen, including his famous best mate....

Early life and legal career

Born in London in 1978 to a Jewish family, Rob was brought up in Southgate and was a pupil at the National Youth Theatre, reports OK!.

He later studied politics and modern history at the University of Manchester, graduating with first-class honours.

In 2001, Rob was called to the bar, starting his pupillage at 2 Paper Buildings, before becoming a tenant at 2 Hare Court. He then specialised in cases involving financial crime such as international fraud and money laundering.

He played a role in prosecutions following the murders of Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis in 2003. Since 2010, he has been involved in the investigation and prosecution of alleged bribery, corruption, and fraud in the British Overseas Territory of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean.

TV ventures

In addition to his legal profession, Rob dabbled in TV scriptwriting during his free time and eventually managed to sell one, leading him to cross paths with producer Tom McLennan.

Tom then proposed a British version of Judge Judy to Rob, offering him the chance to be its face. This led to the birth of the courtroom series Judge Rinder, which graced our screens from 2014 until 2020.

Judge Rinder marked the start of Rob's journey into showbiz, and in 2015 he published his debut book before reviving the 1970s programme Crown Court on ITV in 2017. He strutted his stuff on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, finishing in fifth place, and has also made appearances on Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox.

Rob's other telly exploits include hosting Good Morning Britain, leading documentaries such as Britain Behind Bars and The Holy Land and Us: Our Untold Stories, and presenting Rob Rinder's Interrogation Secrets.

In 2024, Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour premiered on BBC Two, featuring Rob partnering up with Rylan Clark. The programme was a massive hit and is now back for a second series.

Relationship history

In 2013, Rob entered into a civil partnership with Seth Cumming, a political advisor turned legal expert. The pair's ceremony took place in Ibiza.

However, four years after saying their vows, Rob and Seth decided to part ways. The couple had been together for nearly 12 years in total but had mostly kept their relationship away from the public eye.

Rob is thought to be currently single, but he hasn't publicly confirmed his relationship status.

Famous best pal

Rob Rinder, best known for his TV court show, shares a close bond with actor Benedict Cumberbatch. The pair first crossed paths while studying at Manchester University.

Benedict played a significant role in Rob's life when he officiated his 2013 civil partnership ceremony to Seth Cummings. In return, Rob was one of the three best men at Benedict's wedding to Sophie Hunter in 2015.

The two have often given fans a glimpse into their friendship through social media posts, including one where they were seen enjoying a football match together.

Rob and Rylan's Passage to India airs at 9pm on BBC Two on Sunday, 14th September