Richard Coles

Author:
Richard Coles

Date of birth: 26-Mar-1962
Place of birth: Northampton, England UK

About the author:
The Reverend Richard Coles is a British author, broadcaster, and former Anglican priest, widely known for his multifaceted career spanning music, religion, and writing. Born on March 26, 1962, in Northampton, England, Coles first gained fame in the 1980s as part of the pop duo The Communards, alongside Jimmy Somerville. Their cover of “Don’t Leave Me This Way” became a UK No. 1 hit in 1986, earning Coles a place in pop music history.

After leaving the music industry, Coles underwent a dramatic transformation, studying theology and eventually becoming an Anglican priest. He served as the vicar of Finedon in Northamptonshire for over a decade and became a familiar voice and face in British media. He co-hosted BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live for many years, known for his wit, warmth, and thoughtful commentary.

In addition to his media work and religious life, Coles has developed a successful writing career. He has published memoirs, including Fathomless Riches and Bringing in the Sheaves, which detail his journey from pop stardom to the pulpit. More recently, he has turned to fiction with his popular Canon Clement mystery series, starting with Murder Before Evensong (2022), followed by A Death in the Parish. These cozy murder mysteries draw on his clerical background and have been well received by readers and critics alike.

Openly gay and a thoughtful voice on issues of faith, sexuality, and grief, Coles has also been an advocate for inclusion within the Church and society. His husband, David, also a priest, passed away in 2019, a loss Coles has written about candidly and movingly.

Today, Richard Coles continues to write, appear regularly in media, and engage with audiences through his work that bridges the sacred and the secular, the serious and the lighthearted.