Oksana Platero thanks Judge Rinder as he finds her elderly relatives fleeing Ukraine

Strictly’s Oksana Platero has called Judge Rob Rinder a 'remarkable man' after he travelled to the Ukraine border and found her elderly relatives as they escaped the conflict.

Rinder stepped in after Ukrainian dancer Platero — who he was paired with on the BBC ballroom show in 2016 — posted a message on Instagram saying that some of her relatives were trying to flee the crisis and that she was praying they made it to safety.

The star, who is a barrister as well as a TV personality, travelled to the border in Poland this week and has now located the dancer’s grandparents and her aunt.

Read more: Judge Rinder: UK response to Ukraine refugee crisis an 'embarrassment'

He shared on social media that Platero’s grandmother, 95, had crossed into the country “with no wheelchair, food or medical supplies” but that she was “resolute and strong”.

Posting moving pictures on Instagram of him hugging them, he wrote: “Oksana’s family: Auntie Lidya and Grandma Zoya.

“We managed to reach them this morning with a wheelchair & some medical supplies.

"Despite having nearly nothing.. they are ‘grateful for everything’.”

The star, 43, also shared a snap of the family’s dog, Tesla.

He wrote: “Oksana’s family have Tesla their puppy with them… ‘He brings us so much love that we forget the bad things’.”

Rinder’s efforts have won praise from friends and fans alike, with some on social media calling him “an angel on Earth” and saying: “What you are doing is truly inspirational.”

Platero has also told how grateful she is for what her old dance partner has done.

Posting the picture on Instagram of Rinder with her family, she wrote: “I can’t say thank you enough to my wonderful SCD partner @robrinder and his team for being there for my family and so many others.

“You are a truly remarkable man and my love for you is limitless.

“The world needs more people like you.”

Read more: Benedict Cumberbatch offers his home to refugees fleeing Ukraine

Rinder went into law after university and in 2014 he came to fame as the star of reality courtroom show Judge Rinder.

He and Platero finished in fifth place on Strictly in 2016. Platero left Strictly after just one season and now resides in North America.

Watch: TV judge Robert Rinder says 'history is repeating itself' after travelling to Poland