Robert Rinder to present BBC series on the Holocaust
TV barrister revealed during this week’s JW3 dinner that he'll front the three new programmes following his appearance on Who Do You Think You Are?
Justin Cohen is the News Editor at the Jewish News
Robert Rinder is to front a series of BBC programmes on the Holocaust following the success of his appearance on Who Do You Think You Are?
The TV barrister revealed during this week’s JW3 dinner that he has been asked to present three new programmes.
Rinder appeared on the popular genealogy show earlier this year to trace the harrowing story of his grandfather, who was the only member of his family to survive the Shoah. Interviewed on stage on Monday night by BBC presenter Samantha Simmonds, he pointed out the emotional episode had attracted 1.4m viewers more than any other episode and had been trending for the best part of a day “without a peep of antisemitism”.
Rinder, who also discussed his time on Strictly Come Dancing, described the opportunity as “the first” among many privileges he has been afforded since entering the public eye.
The night, which raised a record £320,000, also saw guests reduced to stitches by the legendary Barry Humphries – best known for alter ego Dame Edna Everage – who was quizzed by former ITV Entertainment chief Claudia Rosencrantz. He spoke about his career and insisted Dame Edna had a “very nice Jewish side to her”.
Telling diners he had “always felt very much at home in an environment like this, particularly the tension”, he recalled how there were a quota of Jews at his school in Australia. “I liked them because they were outsiders,” he said. “They all had a history. Melbourne had largest population of survivors outside Israel.” He also spoke of his friendship with an elderly rabbi who arrived from Germany in 1939, saying: “I was aware from a young age that in my lifetime terrible events were taking place.” Hinting he may be back for a public event next year, Humphries praised the community centre as a “wonderful oasis. I intend to come here as much as possible if I can get past security”.
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