Richard Coles
Known for Acting · 44 credits
- Born
- 1962-03-26 (age 64)
- Place of birth
- Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, UK
- Also known as
- The Reverend Richard Coles · The Revd Richard Coles · Rev Richard Coles · Reverend Richard Coles · Rev. Richard Coles · The Communards
Biography
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.
Known For
TV Shows (34)
Have I Got News for You
1990
as Self / Self - Panellist
The One Show
2006
as Self
QI
2003
as Self
Champs-Elysées
1982
as Self - The Communards
Loose Women
1999
as Self
The Last Leg
2013
as Self
Sacrée soirée
1987
as Self - The Communards
Have I Got a Bit More News for You
as Self - Panellist
Question Time
1979
as Self - Panellist
Le monde est à vous
1987
as Self - The Communards
Celebrity Antiques Road Trip
2011
as Self - Participant
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
2022
as Self - Broadcaster and writer
Great British Menu
2006
as Self - Guest Judge
Richard Osman's House of Games
2017
as Self - Contestant
Michael McIntyre's The Wheel
2020
as Self - Expert
The Weakest Link
2021
as Self - Participant
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer
2018
as Self - Guest
Blankety Blank
2021
as Self
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
2002
as Self
The Traitors: Uncloaked
2024
as Self
The Chase: Celebrity Special
2011
as Self - Contestant
Tipping Point: Lucky Stars
2013
as Self - Contestant
Robson Green's Weekend Escapes
2023
as Self
I'm a Celebrity... Unpacked
2024
as Self
Walks with My Dog
2017
as Self
The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice
2014
as Self
Celebrity Lingo
2022
as Self - Contestant
Ambitions
1986
as Self - The Communards
The Big Painting Challenge
2017
as Presenter
Winter Walks
2021
as Self
Stand Up & Deliver
2021
as Self
George Michael: Outed
2023
as Self
Catching Up With the Royals
2026
as Self - Host
Sailing the Shipping Forecast with The Rev Richard Coles
2025
as Self - Narrator
Movies (10)
Queer as Art
2017
as Self
Tim Vine Travels Through Time Christmas Special
2017
as The Pope
Days Like These
1986
as Self
Long Hot Summers: The Story of The Style Council
2020
as Self
Jimmy Somerville: The Video Collection 1984/1990 (Featuring Bronski Beat and The Communards)
1990
as Self - Performer
Framed Youth: The Revenge of the Teenage Perverts
1983
as Self
Good Grief?
2022
as Self - Presenter
JerUSAlem
1986
as Narrator
Jimmy Somerville: Queer Rebel of British Pop
2025
as Self : Friend, Musician & Anglican priest
The Communards - Live at Full House Rock Show
1986
as Self
About Richard Coles
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… With 44 credits spanning from 1979 to 2026, Richard Coles has appeared in 10 films and 34 TV shows.
Fans searching for Richard Coles movies, Richard Coles filmography, or the latest projects starring Richard Coles can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Richard Coles Movies
- Queer as Art (2017) — as Self
- Tim Vine Travels Through Time Christmas Special (2017) — as The Pope
- Days Like These (1986) — as Self
- Long Hot Summers: The Story of The Style Council (2020) — as Self
- Jimmy Somerville: The Video Collection 1984/1990 (Featuring Bronski Beat and The Communards) (1990) — as Self - Performer
Where to Watch Richard Coles Films
Most Richard Coles movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Richard Coles, check our movies catalogue and browse page.