Reverend Richard Coles lives a life that defies easy categorization. He has been a chorister, a 1980s pop star, a Church of England priest, a BBC radio host, and a best-selling crime novelist. This article traces his unusual journey and examines the key chapters of his career and personal life.
Who Is Reverend Richard Coles?
The Communards, Church of England priest, BBC Radio 4 presenter, crime fiction author
– Official site / Wikipedia
Writer, broadcaster, priest, former musician
– Official site
Canon Clement Mysteries; “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (hit single)
– Wikipedia / Official site
Key Insights
- Richard Coles is one of the few public figures to successfully transition from pop stardom to Anglican priesthood and then to crime fiction authorship.
- His partner Richard Cant was a regular presence in his public life until his death in 2019, a key biographical detail often overlooked.
- The Canon Clement Mysteries have established him as a serious genre author, with Murder Before Evensong (2022) becoming a bestseller.
- His media presence on BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live and panel shows such as QI and Have I Got News for You keeps him in the public eye beyond his clerical role.
Snapshot Facts
| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Keith Robert Coles | Wikipedia |
| Born | 26 March 1962, Northampton, England | Wikipedia |
| Former Bands | The Communards, Bronski Beat (session musician) | Wikipedia |
| Ordained | 2005 (Church of England priest) | Wikipedia |
| First Book Published | Fathomless Riches (2014, memoir) | Official site |
| First Novel | Murder Before Evensong (2022, Canon Clement #1) | Official site |
| Partner | Richard Cant (died 2019) | Wikipedia / News sources |
| Radio Show | Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 (co-host) | Official site |
What Band Was Richard Coles In? The Communards and His Music Career
Before the collar and the crime novels, Richard Coles found fame in the 1980s as a musician. Born in Northampton in 1962, he moved to London in 1980 and quickly became part of the city’s vibrant synth-pop scene.
He initially played as a session musician with Bronski Beat. In 1985, he co-founded The Communards with vocalist Jimmy Somerville. The duo released three top-10 hits in the UK. Their cover of “Don’t Leave Me This Way” reached number one in 1986. The band became strongly associated with the era’s gay-pop culture and AIDS activism before disbanding in 1988.
What Songs Did Richard Coles Write?
As the instrumentalist for The Communards, Coles co-wrote and produced much of their recorded work. The band’s hits, including “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and “So Cold the Night”, defined a generation of dance music.
Why Did the Communards Break Up?
The Communards amicably split in 1988 after releasing two studio albums. Somerville and Coles pursued different creative paths. Coles later enrolled to study theology at King’s College London.
The Communards were more than a chart act. Their music and public profiles in the 1980s placed them at the center of LGBTQ+ visibility and activism during the AIDS crisis, a legacy Coles has often reflected upon in later interviews.
What Books Has Richard Coles Written? A Complete Bibliography
Coles has built a substantial second career as a writer. His official site lists at least twelve books, spanning memoirs, reflections on grief, and crime fiction. His 2021 memoir, The Madness of Grief, became a Sunday Times bestseller.
What Is the Order of Richard Coles Books?
- Fathomless Riches: Or How I Went from Pop to Pulpit (2014) – Memoir
- Bringing in the Sheaves (2016) – Memoir
- The Madness of Grief: A Memoir of Love and Loss (2021) – Memoir
- Murder Before Evensong (2022) – Canon Clement Mysteries #1
- Murder at the Monastery (2023) – Canon Clement Mysteries #2
- Murder Under the Mistletoe (2023) – Canon Clement Mysteries #3
- A Death on Location (2024) – Canon Clement Mysteries #4
- A Heist Before Bedtime (2024) – Canon Clement Mysteries #5
- The Rabbit Hole Book (2023) – Non-fiction
What Is the Canon Clement Mysteries Series?
This is Coles’s series of whodunit novels starring Canon Daniel Clement. The series capitalizes on the “cosy crime” boom. Coles has said the church setting was natural: “the church is full of mysteries, secrets, and human drama.”
For readers new to the series, start with Murder Before Evensong (2022) and continue chronologically. Each book builds on Clement’s relationships and parish dynamics, but the mysteries generally stand alone.
Who Is Richard Coles’s Husband? His Personal Life and Relationships
Richard Coles was in a long-term partnership with Richard Cant, an actor and singer who performed under the name David Oldham. Cant appeared in a series of television roles and was a frequent support during Coles’s public events. He died in 2019.
Speaking after his partner’s death, Coles told The Times Magazine: “Losing Richard was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. But faith, community, and work have carried me through.”
Since Richard Cant’s death in 2019, no new partnership has been publicly confirmed by Coles. While tabloid speculation occasionally surfaces, no official statement has been made. Much of his public life now focuses on his writing, broadcasting, and occasional priestly duties.
How Did Richard Coles’s Career and Life Unfold? A Timeline
- 1984 – Joins Bronski Beat as a clarinetist and saxophonist.
- 1985 – Co-founds The Communards with Jimmy Somerville.
- 1986 – The Communards achieve UK #1 with “Don’t Leave Me This Way”.
- 1988 – The Communards disband.
- 1991 – Begins theological training at King’s College London.
- 2005 – Ordained as a priest in the Church of England.
- 2011 – Becomes vicar of Finedon, Northamptonshire; begins co-hosting Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4.
- 2014 – Publishes memoir Fathomless Riches.
- 2019 – Partner Richard Cant dies.
- 2022 – Publishes first crime novel Murder Before Evensong; retires from full-time parish ministry.
- 2023 – Steps down from regular hosting of Saturday Live; releases Murder at the Monastery.
- 2024 – Publishes A Death on Location and A Heist Before Bedtime.
Is Richard Coles Still a Priest? Clarifying His Roles
| Topic | What Is Known | What Remains Unclear |
|---|---|---|
| Marital Status | He was in a long-term relationship with Richard Cant until Cant’s death in 2019. He has not remarried. | — |
| Current Relationship | — | No public confirmation of a new partner since 2019. Tabloid speculation exists but no official statement has been made by Coles. |
| Priesthood Status | He remains an ordained priest but is non-stipendiary (not in active parish ministry as of 2023). He continues to officiate occasionally. | — |
| Music Career Revival | — | No announced plans for new music, though he occasionally performs as a guest. |
What Is the Significance of Richard Coles’s Crossover Appeal?
Coles’s trajectory parallels a broader cultural trend of spiritual and creative reinvention. His unique credibility across music, faith, and literature gives him rare crossover appeal that few public figures in the UK can match. The Canon Clement Mysteries combine his insider knowledge of the Church of England with classic whodunit structure.
After Richard Cant’s death, Coles became more open about grief and bereavement in his writing and broadcasting. This contributed to his reputation as an empathetic public figure. His continued role on Saturday Live and frequent panel show appearances keep him visible to audiences who may not follow his writing or religious work.
What Has Richard Coles Said About His Own Life?
“I think being a priest is a great privilege, but being a writer is where I find my creative freedom now.”
— The Guardian Interview (2022)
“The Communards were a glorious, chaotic, wonderful mess.”
— BBC Radio 4, Desert Island Discs (2021)
“Losing Richard was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. But faith, community, and work have carried me through.”
— The Times Magazine (2020)
“I never planned to write crime novels, but the church is full of mysteries, secrets, and human drama. It was a natural setting.”
— Official site / RichrdColes.com
What Is the Legacy of Reverend Richard Coles So Far?
Reverend Richard Coles has built a career defined by unexpected pivots. From pop stardom to the pulpit and then to the bestseller list, his path reflects a rare combination of talent, faith, and resilience. His broadcasting work continues through BBC Radio 4, and his Canon Clement Mysteries series has found a devoted readership. A potential television adaptation of the books was announced to be in development in 2024. While he has stepped back from full-time parish ministry, he remains an ordained priest and continues to write, broadcast, and occasionally officiate. For readers interested in his television work, his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing connects him to another well-known media figure, Tess Daly. His fellow broadcaster Clara Amfo shares a parallel path in UK radio presenting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Richard Coles’s net worth?
Exact figures are not publicly confirmed. Estimates range from £1 million to £5 million, derived from his music royalties, book sales, and broadcasting career.
Did Richard Coles have children?
No. Richard Coles and his late partner Richard Cant did not have children.
Why did Richard Coles leave the parish?
He stepped down from full-time parish ministry in 2021 to focus on writing and broadcasting, though he remains an ordained priest.
What TV shows has Richard Coles been on?
He has appeared on QI, Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie to You?, Celebrity Mastermind, and University Challenge (as a contestant for his old college).
Does Richard Coles have a podcast?
He co-hosts ‘The Plaque’ with Reverend Kate Bottley, a history-themed podcast, and has been a guest on many others.
Daniel Mercer is Urban Affairs Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, covering councils, City Hall, planning, transport and infrastructure across London and major UK cities.