Richard Coles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Coles
Coles in 2014
Born	(1962-03-26) 26 March 1962 (age 63) in Northampton, England
Church	Church of England
Education	South Warwickshire College of Further Education King's College London (BA) University of Leeds (MA) College of the Resurrection
Ordained	2005
Congregations served	St Botolph's Church, Boston St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge St Mary the Virgin, Finedon
Offices held	Chaplain of the Royal Academy of Music Chancellor of the University of Northampton (2017–present)
Spouse	David Oldham (cp. 2010; died 2019)

Richard Keith Robert Coles (born 26 March 1962) is a well-known English writer, radio presenter, and Church of England priest. He first became famous in the 1980s as a musician in the band the Communards. With the band, he achieved three top-10 songs in the UK. Their most famous song was a dance version of "Don't Leave Me This Way", which was the best-selling single of 1986.

Richard Coles often appears on radio and television. He was a co-host of BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme from 2011 until 2023. He also regularly appears on TV shows like QI, Would I Lie to You?, and Have I Got News for You. He is the chancellor of the University of Northampton.

Early Life and Education

Richard Coles was born in Northampton, England. His grandfather owned a successful shoe manufacturing company. However, the family's wealth decreased under his father's management.

He attended Wellingborough School, where he was a choirboy. He also studied at the South Warwickshire College of Further Education in Stratford-upon-Avon. Later, he studied Theology at King's College London starting in 1990. In 2005, he earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Leeds.

Career Highlights

Music Career

Coles learned to play the saxophone, clarinet, and keyboards. He moved to London in 1980 and played music in theatre. In 1983, he joined the band Bronski Beat.

In 1985, Richard Coles and Jimmy Somerville formed the band the Communards. The band was together for about three years. They had three songs that reached the top 10 in the UK. Their song "Don't Leave Me This Way" was the biggest-selling single of 1986. The band broke up in 1988.

Church Ministry

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Finedon, Northamptonshire

Richard Coles became interested in religion in his late twenties. He studied theology at King's College London from 1991 to 1994. He trained to become a priest in the Church of England at the College of the Resurrection in 2003. He was ordained as a priest in 2005.

After becoming a priest, he worked at St Botolph's Church, Boston and then at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge. He also became the chaplain of the Royal Academy of Music. In January 2011, Coles was appointed as the vicar of St Mary the Virgin, Finedon.

Coles retired from his parish duties as vicar of Finedon in April 2022. He explained that he would still be a priest and hoped to volunteer with people in the criminal justice system.

Writing Career

Coles at the 2022 Chiswick Book Festival

In 2012, Richard Coles published his book Lives of the Improbable Saints. This book shares the life stories of nearly 200 lesser-known saints. A second volume, Legends of the Improbable Saints, was published the following year.

His first book of memoirs, Fathomless Riches, was published in 2014. A second volume, Bringing in the Sheaves, followed in 2016.

In June 2022, Coles released his first mystery novel called Murder Before Evensong. This book is the first in a series about a character named Canon Daniel Clement. The next book in the series, A Death In The Parish, was published in June 2023. In June 2024, Murder at the Monastery was released.

Murder Before Evensong is being made into a television show. Filming for the adaptation began in February 2025.

Broadcasting and Media

Coles speaking at Greenbelt Festival, 2012

Richard Coles continues to work as a broadcaster. He has appeared on many radio and television programmes. He was a guest on the TV news quiz Have I Got News for You seven times. He also presented a special edition of Songs of Praise.

From 2008 to 2009, he often guest-hosted the Radio 4 programme Saturday Live. He became the permanent co-host in 2011 and continued until March 2023. He has appeared as a guest on the BBC comedy quiz show QI multiple times. In January 2014, he won the BBC's Celebrity Mastermind quiz show.

In July 2016, Coles appeared on the BBC cooking series Celebrity Masterchef. He returned to the show in December 2021 and won that edition. In February 2017, he co-presented The Big Painting Challenge on BBC1. In September 2017, Coles was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. He was paired with professional dancer Dianne Buswell.

In December 2020, Coles was featured in the BBC series Winter Walks. In August 2022, he appeared in the Channel 4 documentary Good Grief with Reverend Richard Coles. From November 7 to 11, 2022, Coles guest-hosted Channel 4's game show Countdown. In November 2024, Coles was a contestant on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, finishing in third place.

Personal Life

Richard Coles has experienced tinnitus in his right ear. This condition causes a ringing or buzzing sound and is a result of performing loud pop music.

He is a member of the Labour Party. He is also a member of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). He became interested in GAA sports after watching the TV series Normal People. He chose Cork as his county team.

In May 2022, Coles moved to Friston, East Sussex.

Works

Discography

• Communards (1986)
• Red (1987)

Honours

Scholastic Achievements

Chancellor, Visitor, Governor and Fellowships

Honorary Degrees

Memberships and Fellowships

See also

In Spanish: Richard Coles para niños