Robert Rinder is set to travel to the Ukrainian border next week to meet his Strictly partner’s grandparents as they attempt to flee the war-torn country.

Mr Rinder, 43, paid tribute to the Ukrainian dancer, Oksana Platero with whom he reached the quarter final in 2016, saying she had “gifted me so much.”

He wrote on Twitter, “Right now her grandparents are a week into their struggle to find sanctuary in a safe country. I’ll be trying to meet them on the border next week. They’re just a few of the millions who need us.”

Rob Rinder will be broadcasting live from the Ukraine border on Monday for talkRADIO.@RobbieRinder pic.twitter.com/eLFf58SHx7

— TalkTV (@TalkTV) March 10, 2022

The TV judge said it was at present unclear which border crossing Ms Platero’s family would attempt.

“Depends on where they make it to but I’ll be at the polish border from Monday. “If they cross into Hungary the next step will be getting them to safety with their family,” he said.

Ms Platero, 33, said on Wednesday that her mother and 10 year-old brother were brought to safety last week. 

But other family members, including three grandparents - two of whom were unable to walk - were still trying to escape. 

“We are praying that they will make it out of Ukraine and into safety soon. What's next for them is unclear, unpredictable, and terrifying,” she wrote in an online appeal for her family.

Mr Rinder, who is due to report from the Ukrainian border on Talk Radio and the Sun from Monday, previously spoke out against Russia’s invasion. 

Appearing on Good Morning Britain last week, he said of Russian President Vladimir Putin, “I don't like the word evil, it lacks nuance, but if the cap fits. It seems to be, it's time to call him out for what he is”.