The Reverend Richard Coles

Author

The Reverend Richard Coles is a Church of England clergyman, broadcaster, author, and former pop star — a combination of careers that is, by any measure, unique. His warmth, wit, and willingness to discuss faith, loss, love, and music with equal candour have made him one of the most beloved figures in British public life. Born in... Northampton in 1962, Coles studied at King's College London and the Royal School of Church Music. In the 1980s, he was one half of the Communards, the pop duo he formed with Jimmy Somerville. Their single "Don't Leave Me This Way" topped the UK charts in 1986 and became one of the defining pop songs of the decade. The Communards had significant chart success before splitting in 1988. After the band dissolved, Coles experienced a period of crisis and searching that eventually led him to the Church of England. He was ordained in 2005 and served as the vicar of Finedon in Northamptonshire for over a decade. His unusual journey from pop music to the pulpit fascinated the public and the media in equal measure. As a broadcaster, Coles has become a much-loved presence on BBC radio and television. He co-presented Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 for many years and has appeared on programmes including Strictly Come Dancing, QI, and Have I Got News for You. He is a regular newspaper columnist and a popular guest on panel shows and chat programmes. His books include the memoirs Fathomless Riches and Bringing in the Sheaves, which chronicle his extraordinary life with honesty, humour, and spiritual insight. Following the death of his partner, the Reverend David Coles, in 2019, he wrote The Madness of Grief — a profoundly moving account of bereavement that has helped many readers navigating their own loss. His murder mystery novels, set in a fictional Northamptonshire village, have also found an enthusiastic readership. The audiobook editions of Coles's memoirs, narrated by the author himself, are a particular delight. His rich, warm voice and natural storytelling ability make the audiobooks feel like a conversation with a fascinating and deeply kind friend. Richard Coles lives in London. His books and audiobooks offer a rare combination of humour, faith, music, and emotional honesty — and the unmistakable voice of someone who has lived several extraordinary lives in one. Read more Show less