In a previous incarnation the priest and former host of Radio 4’s Saturday Live scored chart success with Don’t Leave Me This Way. Since the heady days of 1980s pop stardom he’s been an agony uncle, a best-selling memoirist, a regular on Have I Got News For You, and a contestant on Strictly. After dinner he admits to lurid excesses as a Communard, reveals how he got through the interview to train as a vicar, and how they avoid poisoning on Bake Off.
View / Submit“He didn’t just read a script, he delivered what we asked for and more – an event manager’s dream.”
Lloyd’s List
Reverend Richard Coles is a broadcaster, writer, and former Church of England priest. He was the host of Radio 4's Saturday Live for twelve years, and first found fame as one half of the eighties band, The Communards. They enjoyed three UK Top Ten hits, including the biggest-selling single of 1986: Don't Leave Me This Way.
With a successful media career already established, Richard trained for a priesthood in the Church of England - becoming what could only be described as a ‘very modern’ vicar. He was Curate at St Botolph’s in Lincolnshire, before moving to St Paul's Knightsbridge, and becoming Chaplain to the Royal Academy of Music. His career in the church inspired the hit BBC2 comedy Rev.
He recounted his journey from ‘pop star to parson’ in his honest, amusing, and best-selling memoir Fathomless Riches. In his book Bringing in the Sheaves, Richard writes about his first ten years in the ministry, and his continuing career in media. His novel Murder Before Evensong, is the first in his Canon Clement Mystery series.
Multi-talented Richard has turned his hand to acting, penned music for film and TV, served up advice as ‘agony uncle’ on BBC London, and won a Sony Gold as presenter of The Mix on Radio 5 Live. Richard continues to work in broadcasting as a frequent guest on Have I Got News for You, QI and Would I Lie to You? He has also co-presented BBC One’s The Big Painting Challenge, competed in MasterChef, won Celebrity Mastermind, and has the distinction of performing “the worst Paso Doble in the history of Strictly Come Dancing”.
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Richard's speech is one of the warmest I’ve heard. After a glance back to his days as a pop star, he describes the shock of wearing cassocks and sharing a dormitory at the age of 40. If you’re a fan of Rev. (for which he is the inspiration), Richard will leave you in fits of giggles.
JLA Agent Carrie Wood
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