Reverend Richard Coles: From Pop Star to Priest and Broadcaster

For anyone who remembers the 1980s pop charts, the sight of a glam-rock keyboardist swapping sequins for a clerical collar might sound like a plot twist too far — yet Richard Coles made that leap, later becoming one of Britain’s most recognisable priests before stepping away from parish life entirely. This article traces his journey from chart-topping musician to ordained minister, through profound personal loss, and into a third act as author and broadcaster.

Born: 26 March 1962 ·
Occupations: Writer, radio presenter, Church of England priest, former musician ·
Known for: The Communards, BBC Radio 4, author ·
Ordained: 2005

Six key facts that define the Reverend Richard Coles story at a glance:

Why is Richard Coles no longer a vicar?

In 2021, Coles announced he would leave active parish ministry after a decade serving as vicar of Finedon, Northamptonshire. Good Housekeeping UK (lifestyle publication) reported that his decision was driven by a desire to focus on writing and broadcasting. He did not leave the priesthood entirely—he remains a priest—but no longer holds a parish role.

When did Richard Coles leave the priesthood?

• He stepped down as vicar of Finedon in 2021, after ten years in the role.
• The final edition of Saturday Live he presented aired in March 2023, after the BBC (public service broadcaster) moved the show to Cardiff.

What reasons did Richard Coles give for stepping down?

Coles said he felt he needed to be a writer and broadcaster full-time. In his own words, he described the pull of a creative career that had been running alongside his parish work for years. The Telegraph (British national newspaper) notes that he had already published several books while serving as a vicar.

“I felt I needed to be a writer and broadcaster full time.”

— Richard Coles, as reported in BBC and Guardian interviews

The implication: Coles’s decision was not a crisis of faith but a pragmatic recognition that his media career had grown too demanding to sustain alongside full-time parish work. His public appearances, book deals, and podcast commitments now form his primary professional identity.

What happened to Rev Richard Coles’ partner?

The death of his civil partner, Rev David Coles, in December 2019 was a defining personal tragedy that Coles has spoken about publicly and at length. David died at Kettering General Hospital at age 43.

Who was Richard Coles’ partner?

David Coles (no relation) was also a Church of England priest. The couple entered a civil partnership Good Housekeeping UK (lifestyle publication) reports they had been together since 2007.

When did Richard Coles’ partner die?

David Coles died in December 2019. BBC News initially described it as a long illness. In March 2021, Richard Coles publicly confirmed that the cause was liver disease linked to alcohol addiction.

What was the cause of death?

Richard Coles revealed in a 2021 interview that his late partner’s alcoholism was the cause of death. The Northants Telegraph (local newspaper) covered his memoir The Madness of Grief, which details the experience of losing a partner to addiction.

The pattern: Grief became a central theme in Coles’s public identity after 2019. Rather than retreating from the spotlight, he used his media platforms to process loss, directly shaping his memoir and subsequent writing career.

Why is Reverend Richard Coles famous?

Coles’s fame has three distinct layers, each from a different phase of his life. Understanding all three explains why he remains a fixture in British public life.

What did Richard Coles do before becoming a priest?

• He was a founding member of The Communards, the pop duo that scored a UK number-one hit with Don’t Leave Me This Way in 1986.
• The band released two albums between 1985 and 1988.
• Before that, he played with other acts including Bronski Beat.

What is Richard Coles known for on TV and radio?

After ordination, Coles became a regular presenter on BBC Radio 4, hosting Saturday Live for 12 years. He has also appeared on panel shows such as QI, Have I Got News for You, and in 2024 was runner-up on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, as reported by The Independent (British daily newspaper).

The trade-off: His fame is broad but fragmented—someone who knows him from The Communards may not recognise his radio work, and vice versa. This multi-platform visibility has insulated him from being typecast in any single role.

What does Rev Richard Coles do now?

As of 2025, Coles works across several media. He hosts a podcast, writes books, tours live, and appears as a commentator on current affairs.

Is Richard Coles still a priest?

Yes—he remains a priest of the Church of England. He has not been defrocked or left holy orders. However, he no longer has a parish or regular pastoral duties, having stepped down from his vicar role in 2021.

What books has Richard Coles written recently?

Coles is the author of the Canon Clement mystery series, beginning with Murder Before Evensong. In 2025, The Telegraph (British national newspaper) reported that the first novel was being adapted for television, with filming beginning in February 2025.

“The first novel is being adapted for television, with filming beginning in February 2025.”

— The Telegraph (British national newspaper)

He has also written a grief memoir, The Madness of Grief.

He also announced a UK live tour for 2025 titled Borderline National Trinket, kicking off in Norwich on 25 May 2025.

The catch: Coles has effectively turned his life story into a multi-format media product—books, podcast, tour, TV adaptation. For a man who entered the priesthood in 2005, the commercial dimension of his post-parish career is striking.

Who is Rev Richard Coles’ new partner?

As of 2025, Coles has not publicly confirmed a new partner since David’s death. He has spoken about grief and indicated he is not seeking a new relationship.

• No marriage or civil partnership has been reported since 2019.
• His relationship status remains a private matter he has chosen not to discuss in interviews.

Why this matters: The public curiosity about his personal life reflects the emotional openness he showed on I’m a Celebrity…, where he spoke movingly about missing David. Audiences feel invested in his happiness, but Coles has drawn a boundary around that question.

Is Richard Coles a Catholic or Protestant?

Coles is a priest of the Church of England, which is a Protestant denomination within Anglicanism. He converted to Christianity in his twenties and was ordained in 2005.

What denomination is Richard Coles?

He is Anglican—a member of the Church of England. He has described his faith as central to his identity, even as his career has moved away from parish ministry.

Why did Richard Coles become a Church of England priest?

Coles converted to Christianity in the 1990s after a period of spiritual searching following his pop career. Wikipedia’s biography notes that he studied theology and trained for ordination, eventually being appointed vicar of Finedon in 2011.

The pattern: His conversion and ordination represented a radical departure from his public identity as a pop star—yet the discipline of performing and public speaking translated directly to his later media work.

Did Richard Coles ever marry?

Coles was in a civil partnership with Rev David Coles. They had been together since 2007. Since David’s death in 2019, Coles has not remarried or entered a new civil partnership.

The result is a life that defies easy categorization.

For a deeper look into Reverend Richard Coless remarkable journey, this profile explores his transition from pop stardom to parish life with added context.

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