Reverend Richard Coles has lost 15% of his body weight on fat jabs. He talks Strictly, and how it’s simply marvellous that the new Archbishop of Canterbury is a woman
Rev Richard Coles is the only vicar to have had a number one record with Don’t Leave Me This Way, he’s also a TV star, who’s been on Strictly, I’m a Celebrity, Celebrity Masterchef and more
Turning 64 a few weeks ago, Reverend Richard Coles says there was a lot less of him to celebrate after losing 15% of his body weight, thanks to Mounjaro. He confesses: “I was getting a tad plump. And my dog died so I didn’t have to go out for a walk every day. I was getting fat. But I’m on the fat jabs now and that’s been really helpful. I’ve had a great time with them. It’s so good not having to go to the gym. I think I’ve lost about 15% of my body weight. I was getting older, and because I like food and I like wine… go figure!”
While weight loss jabs were his present to himself when he turned 63 on 26 March 2025, his belated birthday present this year is more likely to be a dog. But he’s faced some opposition from his partner, actor Dickie Cant, 62, who he met on a dating app in 2022. He says: “Coming off the Mounjaro and getting a dog is my aim. Although Dickie vetoed getting a corgi, and in fact would rather a cat.”
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Richard, who lives in Friston, East Sussex, is also celebrating the release of his first children’s book, A Heist Before Bedtime, this week, which promises kids a hilarious collection of 12 true crime stories. The retired vicar already knows exactly what he’d want to pinch, if he ever masterminded a grand theft He says: “If I were to organise a heist, I’d go for the Crown Jewels. I like them and I think the imperial state crown would rather suit me. I think I would cut a bit of a dash.”
It’s an outlandish admission for a man of the cloth, but Richard has always been extraordinary. The only vicar to have had a number one record with Don’t Leave Me This Way, he’s also a TV star, who’s been on Strictly, I’m a Celebrity, Celebrity Masterchef, Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You?, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and QI. He’s also written 12 books, including the bestselling, The Madness of Grief, penned after the death of his husband Reverend David Coles, aged 43, in December 2019 from alcohol-related liver disease.
Richard, who’s hosted BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live and is currently hosting podcasts including The Rabbit Hole Detective – investigating historical objects – is excited about the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally last month as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
Describing it as a “tough gig” Richard, who was vicar of Findeon, Northamptonshire, until retiring in 2022, says: “I’m really glad it’s Sarah who is sitting on the Throne of Augustine, as cold and as in need of a heat pad as it may be.” With women only accounting for 32% of our active clergy, he adds: “I share a certain affinity with Sarah. I think she’s a fantastic bishop and she’ll make a fantastic archbishop.
“It’s preached endlessly that we should have more equality within the church. But part of me thinks it would be better for women to be in the majority, because I think women make very good clergy.” Still with his headhunter’s cap on, he also has someone in mind for another top job – this time to present Strictly. He says: “It’s got to be Alan Carr. I think he should not only be the new host of Strictly but also the Prime Minister, and the President of the United States while we’re at it!”
Of his own performance on Strictly (he was second to be voted off in 2017) he says: “One thing I learned simultaneously with 10 million other people is that I am to dance what a fried egg is to acrobatics. I just couldn’t do it.” But he wins top prize as the master of reinvention. He laughs: “It makes me sound like Madonna!”
*A Heist Before Bedtime by Reverend Richard Coles is published by Wren & Rook on 9th April 2026, RRP £14.99
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