Rob Rinder has never shied away from putting his wit and intelligence on display in the courtroom or on screen - but when it comes to his private life, the television judge has always been careful. For years, one of his most significant relationships was largely kept out of the limelight. His marriage to barrister Seth Cumming began in spectacular fashion, officiated by one of Hollywood's biggest names, but ultimately ended in heartbreak.

The pair tied the knot in Ibiza in 2013, with Rob's university friend Benedict Cumberbatch stepping in to conduct the ceremony. It was a dazzling occasion, held against the backdrop of the island's cliffs and beaches, and captured the attention of fans once photographs leaked online.

At the time, Rob admitted he would have preferred to keep the event private, explaining that "we got married, it's no secret, but no one was supposed to know - somebody put the pictures on Facebook." The Ibiza ceremony was not only a milestone for Rob and Seth but also a first for Benedict, who had become legally able to officiate weddings after registering online with the Universal Life Church.

The Sherlock star flew in on his birthday and presided over the vows with a mix of solemnity and humour. Speaking later to Vulture Magazine, Benedict described it as "a very private, lovely thing to be asked to do," joking that if it went well, he could add "children's parties and bat mitzvahs" to his repertoire.

For Rob, the link to Benedict stretched back to their student days at Manchester University. The pair had formed a close friendship that continued into adulthood, with Rob even standing as one of Benedict's three best men when he wed theatre director Sophie Hunter in 2015.

Seth Cumming was already well established in his career before the wedding. A former political adviser to then-Conservative Chancellor George Osborne, he later shifted into law and became a barrister in a prestigious firm. The match seemed natural - two sharp legal minds with shared ambitions.

Rob himself had been rising in prominence on British television since the launch of Judge Rinder on ITV. His no-nonsense delivery, quick humour and ability to break down complex disputes into accessible language made him a favourite with daytime audiences.

Despite his growing fame, Rob was determined not to use Benedict's celebrity as a platform. As he once put it: "We're good friends from Manchester Uni. He officiated at our civil ceremony. But I'd never want to piggyback on his superstardom. Never have, never would."

Although their wedding was filled with joy, the marriage itself was not destined to last. By early 2018, it was reported that Rob and Seth had separated after four years of marriage and more than a decade together.

A source close to the couple explained to The Sun at the time: "It's very sad news but Rob is separating from his partner of 11-and-a-half years. He's very upset about the situation, but the split is amicable and no one else is involved."

In the years since, Rob has fronted hard-hitting documentaries and light-hearted travel programmes, including a BBC series with Rylan Clark. Rylan later told the Express that he and Rob enjoy a "full-on romance" - though only in a platonic sense - underlining the warmth of their working partnership.

Rob has also taken on presenting duties for programmes such as Amazing Hotels: Beyond The Lobby and explored social issues in series like Britain Behind Bars. Most recently, he has been announced as co-host of The Inheritance, a Channel 4 reality show where he will appear alongside Elizabeth Hurley.

Despite his public success, questions about his marriage continue to follow Rob. He has acknowledged the split was painful, though he has avoided giving explicit reasons for why things ended.

The secrecy that surrounded their wedding carried through to their separation. As one insider put it: "Rob has never spoken about his relationship and nothing will change on that front."