After Dinner SpeakersReverend Richard Coles is an English musician, journalist and a former Church of England priest.
He studied Theology at King’s College London. After his ordination, he worked as a curate in Lincolnshire and then at St Paul’s, Knightsbridge, in London.
Until his retirement in 2022, Richard Coles was a Parish Priest in Finedon, Northamptonshire.
He was the multi-instrumentalist who partnered with Jimmy Somerville in the 1980s band The Communards. They achieved three Top Ten hits, including the No. 1 best-selling single of 1986, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”.
Richard’s memoir, Fathomless Riches: Or How I Went From Pop to Pulpit, was published in hardback in October 2014. His second memoir, Bringing in the Sheaves, was published in October 2016.
Rev Richard Coles was co-presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live and is regularly seen as a guest panellist on shows such as BBC One’s Have I Got News For You and QI.
Often described as ‘Britain’s most famous vicar‘, Richard inspired the main character in the BBC hit comedy Rev.
In 2016, he indulged a passion for fine cuisine by participating in the BBC’s prime-time programme Celebrity Masterchef.
In November 2024, Richard travelled to Australia to appear on ITV’s hit show ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!‘
Richard Coles – After Dinner Speaker – “From Pop Star To Pulpit”
Richard’s media work and unique position as the only Vicar with a number-one hit record make him a popular speaker.
Richard’s popular after-dinner speech is ‘From Pop Star To Pulpit’. He connects the euphoria and mayhem of being ‘Top of The Pops’ in the 80s—which resonates with audiences of that era—to his circumstances as a Church of England priest, radio broadcaster, and television show panellist—which resonates with all sorts of people—and enables him to reach a wide audience.
Conference & Keynote Speaker
As a high-profile openly gay priest, Rev Richard Coles is increasingly asked to address audiences around the themes of LGBT, Diversity and Inclusion.
He is also interested in housing and building communities. He is on the board of Wellingborough Homes, a housing association, and has spoken at several national conferences on this theme.
Richard is frequently asked to speak on other appropriate but perhaps less obvious speech themes, including Trust and Ethics, and CSR, to which he can bring a unique and fascinating perspective.
