
Richard Coles
Actor · b. 1962 · Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, UK
Richard Keith Robert Coles FRSA FKC (born 26 March 1962) is an English writer, radio presenter and Church of England priest. He first came to prominence as the multi-instrumentalist who partnered Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band the Communards. They achieved three UK top-10 hits, including the No. 1 record and best-selling single of 1986, a dance version of "Don't Leave Me This Way". Coles frequently appears on radio and television as well as in newspapers and, from March 2011 until March 2023, was the co-host of BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme. He is a regular contributor to the television shows QI, Would I Lie to You? and Have I Got News for You. He is the chancellor of the University of Northampton, a former honorary chaplain to the Worshipful Company of Leathersellers, and a patron of social housing project Greatwell Homes in Wellingborough. Coles was born in Northampton, England. His grandfather was a prosperous shoe manufacturer. The company struggled under Coles's father, and the family lost much of its wealth. He was educated at the independent Wellingborough School (where he was a choirboy), and at the South Warwickshire College of Further Education (Department of Drama & the Liberal Arts) in Stratford-upon-Avon. He later attended King's College London, where he studied Theology from 1990. Coles was awarded an MA by research from the University of Leeds in 2005 for work on the Greek text of the Epistle to the Ephesians. Coles learned to play the saxophone, clarinet and keyboards, and moved to London in 1980, where he played in theatre. In 1983, he appeared with Jimmy Somerville in the Lesbian and Gay Youth Video Project film Framed Youth: The Revenge of the Teenage Perverts, which won the Grierson Award. Coles joined Bronski Beat (initially on saxophone) in 1983. Somerville left Bronski Beat, and in 1985 he and Coles formed the Communards, who were together for just over three years and had three UK top 10 hits, including the biggest-selling single of 1986, a version of "Don't Leave Me This Way", which was at number one for four weeks. The band split in 1988, and Somerville went solo. Coles provided narration for the Style Council's film JerUSAlem in 1987 and also started a career as a writer, particularly with the Times Literary Supplement and the Catholic Herald. He took up religion in his late twenties, after "the best of times, the worst of times", pop success and the deaths of friends as a result of HIV. From 1991 to 1994 he studied for a BA in theology at King's College London. While at university, Coles became a Roman Catholic and remained so for the next ten years before returning to Anglicanism in 2001. Coles was selected for training for the priesthood in the Church of England and began his training at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, West Yorkshire, in 2003, before being ordained in 2005. After ordination, he was a curate at St Botolph's Church in Boston, Lincolnshire and then at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge in London. He has been chaplain of the Royal Academy of Music, played Dr Frank N Furter in a local concert and conducted an atheist funeral for Mo Mowlam in 2005. ... Source: Article "Richard Coles" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA.
Series24
TV5.7Talk ShowSacrée soirée
1987 · 5 votes
TV4.4Talk ShowA topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One.
The One Show
2006 · 31 votes
TV6.8Talk ShowChamps-Elysées
1982 · 9 votes
TV7.2NewsComedyBased on the week’s news and fronted by guest hosts, this extended version of the satirical news quiz features more of the stuff that wouldn't fit into the regular programme.
TV3.4Talk ShowA panel of four women discuss topical issues, ranging from daily politics and current affairs to celebrity gossip.
Loose Women
1999 · 19 votes
TV7.1ComedyNewsHilarious, totally-irreverent, near-slanderous political quiz show, based mainly on news stories from the last week or so, that leaves no party, personality or action unscathed in pursuit of laughs.
Have I Got News for You
1990 · 82 votes
TV7.9ComedyTalk ShowComedy quiz show full of quirky facts, in which contestants are rewarded more if their answers are 'quite interesting'.
QI
2003 · 291 votes
TV5.7Talk ShowAdam Hills and co-hosts Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker provide some offbeat commentary on the significant moments of the past seven days.
The Last Leg
2013 · 26 votes
TV5.9NewsTalk ShowThis topical debate series based on Any Questions? typically features politicians from at least the three major political parties as well as other public figures who answer pre-selected questions put to them by a carefully selected audience.
Question Time
1979 · 15 votes
TVTalk Show
TV7.0RealityFour different celebrities all aim to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith with their baking skills.
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer
2018 · 11 votes
TV2.8NewsTalk ShowThe big names behind the big stories. Laura Kuenssberg talks to those making the news, inside and outside politics.
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
2022 · 6 votes
TV6.0Talk ShowAntiques experts accompany celebrities on a road trip around the UK searching for treasures and competing to make the most money at auction
Celebrity Antiques Road Trip
2011 · 5 votes
TV6.0Celebrity Mastermind is a British television quiz show broadcast by BBC television. The show is a spin-off of the long-running quiz show Mastermind, with the exception that all the contestants are celebrities. As with the main show, John Humphrys is the host and question-master. Magnus Magnusson was quizmaster on the 2003/04 episodes featuring Jonathan Meades as winner.
Celebrity Mastermind
2003 · 2 votes
TV6.5RealityBritain's top chefs compete for the chance to cook a four-course banquet for a high-profile figure.
Great British Menu
2006 · 6 votes
TV6.1ComedyTalk ShowEach week a group of four famous faces go toe to toe in testing their general knowledge skills in a variety of entertaining games.
Richard Osman's House of Games
2017 · 25 votes
TV6.0RealityRomesh Ranganathan takes charge of the back-stabbing big money game show. Can the contestants create a chain of answers and avoid the boot?
The Weakest Link
2021 · 5 votes
TV5.6RealityMichael McIntyre hosts a gameshow packed with huge stars, big laughs and a giant spinning wheel. Can the contestants, guided by celebrity experts, answer their way to a fortune?
Michael McIntyre's The Wheel
2020 · 8 votes
TV6.3Celebrity series of The Chase. Contestants must pit their wits against the Chaser, a ruthless quiz genius determined to stop them winning the cash prize.
The Chase: Celebrity Special
2011 · 3 votes
TV7.5RealityBen Shephard hosts the quiz show in which three celebrities take on an extraordinary machine in the hope of winning 20,000 pounds for charity.
Tipping Point: Lucky Stars
2013 · 2 votes
TV7.0FamilyComedyBradley Walsh presents the triumphant return of Britain's blank-iest game show. Can he control his celebrity panel and help contestants win the coveted cheque book and pen?
Blankety Blank
2021 · 1 votes
TV6.0ComedyRealityTwelve celebrities are abandoned in the Australian jungle. In order to earn food, they must perform Bushtucker Trials which challenge them physically and mentally.
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
2002 · 54 votes
TV6.3DocumentaryRelax, reset and recharge. Robson takes the roads less travelled across his beloved North East England. With friends and family, he finds wellbeing and adventure in wonderful places.
Robson Green's Weekend Escapes
2023 · 3 votes
TV1.0Talk ShowHosted by Jungle legend Joel Dommett, along with your current King of the Jungle Sam Thompson and Capital radio DJ Kemi Rodgers, the iconic trio debate the day’s Trials, triumphs, tears and stomach growls from the Campmates as they happen.
I'm a Celebrity... Unpacked
2024 · 2 votes
Movies8
Movie6.0ComedyHistoryTo recover a silver lion ornament for singer Emma Bunton Tim travels back to the court of Henry Vlll where Anne Boleyn (Emma again) asks jester Tim to send invitations to the guests for her Christmas party. However Cardinal Wolsey aims to steal them so that they will come to his own party and Tim must thwart him.
Tim Vine Travels Through Time Christmas Special
2017 · 1 votes
Movie5.3DocumentaryMusicWith his soaring falsetto and magnetic yet understated stage presence, Jimmy Somerville burst onto the 1980s new wave scene, making the world dance to songs rooted in struggle and resilience. From the harsh realities of Glasgow’s working-class neighborhoods to the challenges of growing up gay in a hostile world, and the devastating impact of the AIDS crisis, Somerville transformed pain into anthems of freedom. First with Bronski Beat, then The Communards, and later as a solo artist, he became both rebel and diva—the unmistakable voice of a generation fighting for equality. Through intimate stories from those who have stood by him for four decades, this portrait reveals a rare artist who has never wavered in his convictions.
Jimmy Somerville, rebelle queer de la pop anglaise
Jimmy Somerville: Queer Rebel of British Pop
2025 · 3 votes
Movie8.0MusicCollection of music videos by Jimmy Somerville, both as solo artist as well as with the bands Bronski Beat and The Communards.
Movie7.0MusicDocumentaryThe story of the band that Paul Weller formed after The Jam split up in 1982, with insight from key members, collaborators and fans.
Long Hot Summers: The Story of The Style Council
2020 · 4 votes
MovieDocumentaryReverend Richard Coles opens up the conversation around bereavement, as he goes on a personal grief voyage and tries some unconventional activities that have helped others to live with loss
Good Grief?
2022
Movie3.2DocumentaryDocumentary celebrating the LGBTQ contribution to the arts in Britain in the 50 years since decriminalisation. It features interviews with leading figures from right across the arts in Britain, including Stephen Fry, David Hockney, Sir Antony Sher, Alan Cumming, Sandi Toksvig, Jeanette Winterson, Will Young and Alan Hollinghurst, and it explores the distinctive perspectives and voices that LGBT artists have brought to British cultural life.
Queer as Art
2017 · 4 votes
Movie10.0DocumentaryMusicDocumentary containing interviews and concert footage of the various musicians and bands within the Red Wedge organization on a tour within the UK.
Days Like These
1986 · 1 votes
Movie4.0DocumentaryGay and lesbian teenagers interview straight people on the streets of London about their views on homosexuality.
Framed Youth: The Revenge of the Teenage Perverts
1983 · 4 votes