Reverend Richard Coles

The Reverend Richard Coles is an esteemed Church of England priest residing in the picturesque village of Finedon, Northamptonshire, a place where two of his ancestors served as Vicars in the seventeenth century. Interestingly, over twenty-five years ago, Richard was the instrumentalist half of the renowned pop band The Communards, alongside Jimmy Somerville.

During the 1980s, The Communards achieved three UK Top 10 hits, including "Never Can Say Goodbye" and the chart-topping single of 1986, "Don't Leave Me This Way." This unique accomplishment makes him the only Vicar in the world to have had a number one hit record.

Richard co-hosts BBC Radio 4's "Saturday Live" and is a regular contributor to "Pause for Thought" on the Radio 2 Chris Evans Breakfast Show. He frequently appears on panel shows like "Have I Got News For You," "Would I Lie To You?" and "QI." Often dubbed Britain's most famous vicar, Richard inspired the main character in the BBC's hit comedy "Rev," for which he was also a consultant. In 2017, Richard competed in the BBC’s BAFTA-winning prime-time show "Strictly Come Dancing."

Richard Coles grew up in Northamptonshire and attended a minor public school, where he was a chorister and grappled with his identity as a gay man. As a young adult, he moved to London to work as a session musician in theatre. In 1983, he joined the pop group Bronski Beat as a saxophonist, where he met Jimmy Somerville. The following year, they left to form The Communards.

Success came quickly, but Richard struggled with sudden fame. The musically trained, introverted Coles often felt overshadowed by the extroverted Somerville. Amidst drug-fueled disagreements, Richard devised a plan that led him away from his music career towards a vocation in the Church.

In 1990, after attending a mass at St Alban's, Richard found new faith. He earned a theology degree from King's College, London, and returned to Northamptonshire, where he seriously considered becoming a priest. After ten years as a Roman Catholic, he reverted to Anglicanism and was ordained in 2005. He now lives with his civil partner David, also a priest, in a vicarage they share with their four dachshunds.

With a keen interest in housing communities, Richard is a board member of Wellingborough Homes, providing social and affordable housing in his borough. In 2017, he was named honorary Chancellor of the University of Northampton.

The Reverend Richard Coles' diverse experiences in broadcasting, the priesthood, and the music industry make him a highly entertaining and articulate after-dinner speaker. He shares extraordinary and humorous anecdotes from his journey from pop star to priest and is frequently sought after to host corporate and society award dinners.

Reverend Richard Coles' books include "Fathomless Riches" and "Bringing in the Sheaves."

• Speaker Topics:

After Dinner Speaking - “From Pop Star To Parson”
Having addressed audiences as diverse as local Government Ministers in Marlow and the Independent Schools' Bursars Association to international travel agents in Abu Dhabi and the British Medical Association, Richard delivers an original, humorous, and captivating after-dinner speech that appeals to all audiences.

There aren’t many Church of England priests who can claim to have had a British Number 1 hit single. In fact, Reverend Richard Coles is the only one, as part of the successful pop duo The Communards.

In his popular after-dinner speech, "From Pop Star To Parson," Richard Coles tells a story as real as it is unlikely. He connects the euphoria and mayhem of being ‘Top of The Pops’ in the 80s — which resonates with audiences of that era — to his present circumstances as a Church of England priest, radio broadcaster, and television show panelist. He answers burning questions like, “How do you go from pop star to priest? And why?”

• Conference & Keynote Speaking:

As a high-profile openly gay priest, Richard Coles is increasingly asked to address audiences on themes such as:

• LGBT
• Diversity
• Inclusion
• Trust
• Ethics

His talk on Trust and Ethics provides a unique and intriguing perspective as a member of the clergy.
He also has a particular interest in housing and building communities — he is on the board of a housing association, Wellingborough Homes, and has spoken at several national conferences on this theme.

• Award Ceremony Hosting:

In addition to after-dinner and conference speaking, the Reverend Richard Coles is highly popular and in-demand as a host for award ceremonies. From Third Sector awards for charities to the likes of the British Parking Awards, British Damage Management Association Awards, British Medical Association Research Grant Awards Dinner, Association of Car Fleet Operators, IT Service Management Forum Awards, Ophthalmology Awards, Investor Relations Society Best Practice Awards, The Metal Packaging Manufacturers Awards, Supersavers Bestseller Awards, Test Valley Business Awards & Dinner, Croydon College Awards, and Planning Awards, to name but an eclectic few.

To find out more about how to book, contact our team of Entertainment Experts.