Rev Richard Coles ‘loving life’ in Sussex as he opens up about his ‘new happiness’

One of the most famous TV vicars, who has now set up home in Sussex, has opened up about how he is “loving life” in the county. After the tragic passing of his husband David in 2019, Reverend Richard Coles relocated to the seaside county and has now found happiness again, both in his new relationship and in his career.

An entertaining broadcaster and author, Richard shared with PA how his career is not the only thing going well at the moment. As well as the success of his novel Murder Before Evensong, and his new cosy crime caper A Death In The Parish, Richard has said his new relationship with actor Richard Cant, son of the late actor and children’s TV presenter Brian Cant, is a success after meeting on a dating app before Christmas.

Richard, who no longer is a working vicar, told PA: “The big personal news is that I’ve met someone and am now in a relationship, which is lovely. We met just before Christmas – it was my first go on a dating app and it’s worked very well.”

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The 61-year-old said: “He’s lovely, he’s kind, funny, thoughtful, interesting – and he likes me! If you’re dating in your golden years, you don’t exactly cut to the chase. You’re not looking for a roller-coaster – you tend to be looking for a smooth limousine, so things are sort of steady and nice, which I like.

“We walk and we talk, we sing songs around the piano and I help him learn his lines, which I really enjoy – although at times he gets me to stop, because I’m enjoying it a little too much. After David died, I went into a sort of hibernation without realising it.

“It [the new relationship] has opened up a chunk of life to me that I thought had closed down for good, so that’s lovely. I do feel a new happiness is beginning to blossom in my life, which I didn’t expect or anticipate.”