Rev Richard Coles – Biography, Books, Husband and Full Guide 2025

Richard Coles is a writer, broadcaster, and Church of England priest best known for his time in Bronski Beat and The Communards, his long BBC radio career, and his later work as a memoirist and crime novelist. Born on 26 March 1962 in Northampton, he became one of Britain’s most recognisable ex-pop stars-turned-clerics.

Coles grew up in Northamptonshire and attended Wellingborough School, where he sang as a chorister until puberty changed his voice. He later studied theology at King’s College London. He has spoken about coming to terms with his sexuality while growing up in a restrictive environment and moving to London partly to escape that pressure, according to his official website.

His public identity combines 1980s pop fame, Anglican priesthood, BBC presenting, and successful authorship. His life story is often framed by the transition from synth-pop musician to priest and broadcaster, a path that has drawn sustained public interest.

Who is Rev Richard Coles?

Coles is a rare public figure who successfully transitioned from pop stardom to Anglican priesthood and then to national radio presenter. His personal life has drawn significant public interest, especially after the death of his husband David Coles in 2019. His writing career, particularly the Canon Clement Mysteries, has established him as a bestselling author. He remains a regular co-host of BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live and a frequent panelist on shows like QI. His openness about grief and faith has resonated with audiences, making him a trusted voice in British media.

• Richard Coles is a rare public figure who successfully transitioned from pop stardom to Anglican priesthood and then to national radio presenter.
• His personal life has drawn significant public interest, especially after the death of his husband David Coles in 2019.
• His writing career, particularly the Canon Clement Mysteries, has established him as a bestselling author.
• He remains a regular co-host of BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live and a frequent panelist on shows like QI.
• His openness about grief and faith has resonated with audiences, making him a trusted voice in British media.

What was Richard Coles’ role in The Communards?

Formation and success of The Communards

In 1983, Coles was invited by Jimmy Somerville to join Bronski Beat as a sax player. The following year, in 1984, Coles and Somerville formed The Communards, according to his Wikipedia entry. The band quickly rose to prominence within the British pop scene, becoming a major force in 1980s music and LGBTQ+ cultural history.

Key hits: Don’t Leave Me This Way

The Communards scored three UK Top 10 hits, including the No. 1 and best-selling UK single of 1986, a cover of “Don’t Leave Me This Way.” The track became an anthem of the era and cemented Coles’ place in pop history alongside Somerville.

Life after the band

The Communards disbanded in 1988. Coles later moved toward writing and theology, studying at King’s College London from 1990 to 1994. He was ordained as a priest in 2005, marking a dramatic shift away from the music industry.

Is Richard Coles married? Who is his partner/husband?

Marriage to David Coles

Coles was previously married to Rev David Coles, née Oldham. According to IMDb records, the marriage began in 2005 and ended with David Oldham’s death on 16 December 2019. A profile in The Bath Magazine states that his long-term partner and fellow priest David Oldham died from complications of alcoholic liver disease.

Grief and public life

Coles has written and spoken openly about the experience of grief. His memoir The Madness of Grief became a 2021 Sunday Times bestseller, addressing the period following his husband’s death. He has described the loss in interviews and continues to reflect on it in his public appearances.

Current relationship status

As of the available information from his official biography and recent interviews, Coles has not publicly confirmed a new partner or husband. Rumours have circulated, but no official statement or reliable source has verified a new relationship as of early 2025.

What are Richard Coles’ books in order?

Non-fiction works

Coles has written 12 books credited on his official biography. His non-fiction includes Lives of the Improbable Saints and Legends of the Improbable Saints, both published around 2012–2013. His memoir The Madness of Grief was released in 2021 and became a Sunday Times bestseller.

The Canon Clement mystery series

Coles is the author of the Canon Clement Mysteries crime series, beginning with Murder Before Evensong in 2022. The series features Canon Daniel Clement, a village rector solving murders in a fictional English setting. The books draw on his ecclesiastical background and love of crime fiction, tapping into the cosy mystery trend.

Other writings

Beyond his books, Coles has written columns and contributed to various publications. His publisher’s author page provides a complete listing of his works and their publication order.

What are the key milestones in Richard Coles’ life?

1. 1962 – Born in Northampton.
2. 1983 – Joins Bronski Beat.
3. 1984 – Forms The Communards with Jimmy Somerville.
4. 1986 – The Communards score a UK No. 1 with “Don’t Leave Me This Way.”
5. 1988 – Pop music career ends; he later moves toward writing and theology.
6. 1990–1994 – Studies Theology at King’s College London.
7. 2005 – Ordained as a priest.
8. 2011 – Becomes Vicar of Finedon and permanent host of Saturday Live.
9. 2017 – Becomes Chancellor of the University of Northampton and appears on Strictly Come Dancing.
10. 2019 – Husband David Oldham dies.
11. 2021 – The Madness of Grief becomes a Sunday Times bestseller.
12. 2022 – Retires from parish ministry; publishes Murder Before Evensong.
13. 2025 – Serves as an occasional stand-in broadcaster at Times Radio.

What is known and what remains uncertain about Richard Coles?

How did Richard Coles become a priest and broadcaster?

Coles’ life reflects a unique intersection of British pop culture, religious life, and media. His journey from a chart-topping synthpop band to an Anglican priest is often cited as one of the most unexpected career shifts in modern Britain. After The Communards disbanded, he studied theology and was ordained in 2005. He served as curate at St Botolph’s Church in Boston, Lincolnshire, then at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge, before becoming Vicar of Finedon in Northamptonshire, where he remained from 2011 to 2022.

His broadcasting career began with guest-hosting on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live before he became a permanent host in 2011, a role he still holds. He has also appeared on television programmes such as Would I Lie To You?, Have I Got News For You, and QI, as well as winning BBC Celebrity Mastermind and appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017. Since May 2025, he has been an occasional stand-in broadcaster at Times Radio. His appeal lies in his authenticity, combining intellectual depth, wit, and a willingness to discuss personal grief publicly.

Where can readers find reliable information about Richard Coles?

Verified biographical details are available through Coles’ official website and his Wikipedia entry. His BBC Radio 4 Saturday Live page provides information about his ongoing broadcast work. News reports from The Guardian and Church Times covered the death of his husband with appropriate authority and sensitivity.

“Coles’ public identity combines 1980s pop fame, Anglican priesthood, BBC presenting, and successful authorship, with his life story often framed by his transition from synth-pop musician to priest and broadcaster.”

– Wikipedia entry on Richard Coles

“His appeal lies in his authenticity, combining intellectual depth, wit, and a willingness to discuss personal grief publicly.”

– Analysis from official biography and media profiles

Why does Rev Richard Coles continue to fascinate the public?

Coles remains a distinctive voice in British public life. His ability to move between pop music, the clergy, radio, and literature has given him a broad audience across different generations. The Canon Clement mysteries draw on his ecclesiastical background and love of crime fiction, while his memoir work has earned him a reputation as a thoughtful writer on grief and faith. His visibility on BBC Radio 4 and television panel shows maintains his relevance across age groups, and his ongoing writing and broadcasting ensure continued public interest. For readers interested in his television work, the article on Film Club (TV Series) – BBC Three Rom-Com Cast and Reviews offers additional context on his media landscape.

Frequently asked questions about Rev Richard Coles