How Richard Coles became the loveliest I’m a Celebrity contestant ever

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Richard Coles - Figure 1 — Photo The Independent

When the latest season of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! kicked off earlier this month, many viewers worried that the lineup was just too pleasant. Where are the unlikable politicians and the flashy socialites? With Oti Mabuse’s lively dance persona, Alan Halsall’s friendly soap opera vibe, and Barry McGuigan’s tough yet sensitive demeanor, it has felt like one big happy family throughout the show.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any friendlier, here comes Reverend Richard Coles. After stepping away from his pop star days as the keyboardist for the Communards in his twenties, Coles has seemingly dedicated much of his life to another calling: being the World’s Nicest Man. Alongside that, he served as an Anglican vicar until his retirement in 2022, and he’s also known for his work as a broadcaster, especially on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live. Now at 62, his charming reputation has only grown stronger with his recent venture into writing murder mysteries. Coles specializes in the cozy variety, reminiscent of fellow good-guy author Richard Osman.

While this season may not have had much in the way of excitement, it has certainly delivered some truly heartfelt moments, many of which have centered around Coles—especially impressive considering he joined the camp later than the others. In Tuesday's episode, he won the audience's hearts with a thoughtful response to a sensitive question. As Mabuse teared up while talking to the Rev about her daughter's premature arrival and the painful experience of watching her baby in the neonatal intensive care unit, Coles shared a comforting memory of his own. He recounted the time he baptized a premature baby boy using a pipette of water. The reverend added, “We baptized him, and he thrived—now he’s a healthy young footballer, which is wonderful!”

What happened next truly captured the viewers' hearts. When Mabuse inquired if he would pray for her daughter, Coles replied, “I’ve actually already said a prayer for her.”

Coles shared his personal struggles with the Strictly professional, revealing the deep emptiness he feels since losing his partner David. David passed away just before Christmas in 2019 due to liver disease caused by alcohol addiction. It's been a challenging few years for Coles, especially after the heartbreaking loss of his two cherished dachshunds, Daisy and Pongo, who both died on the same day in August, just a few months after his mother, Elizabeth, passed away.

"I really miss him," Coles shared with Mabuse about David. "I had a dream where he came through the door, just holding a Co-op bag like he had been grocery shopping. I told him, 'I thought you were gone,' and he replied, 'No, I was just out shopping.' I said, 'It’s great to see you, thanks for coming back,' and he said, 'Oh, I’m not sticking around; I've met someone new.' That's just how it is with Coles—his heartfelt moments often wrap up with a chuckle."

In a candid conversation with influencer GK Barry, they delved into topics of sexuality and religion. He confidently told Barry, who had recently shared her own journey of coming out in the series, that he had never felt any worry about whether God accepted being gay. "I wasn’t the first to feel this way," he said, reflecting on historical documents from the early and medieval church that made him think, "Wow, that was pretty gay." As always, he brought his signature humor to the discussion. When asked about his biggest fear, he jokingly replied, "Looking overweight on TV."

In a later segment of the Bush Telegraph, Barry expressed the positive vibe the camp had about their new bunkmate. “When I entered this jungle, I had no idea who I would connect with or get along with, and I would have never believed you if you told me I’d hit it off the most with a reverend,” she shared. “But honestly, he might just be my favorite person here.”

The same can likely be said for several celebrities. For instance, Maura Higgins from Love Island quickly developed a connection with the former vicar when they both found themselves in the jungle together, leading to some amusing misadventures filled with tricks and deception—a territory in which the Rev unexpectedly excels. One Twitter user captured the public's sentiment perfectly by stating, "Every year, there's an unexpected friendship, and this time it’s Maura Higgins and Reverend Richard Coles."

Earlier this year, Coles wrapped up a seven-month tour across the UK, titled Borderline National Trinket. If things keep progressing as they have, he’s on track to emerge from the jungle as a true national gem. After all, Coles has already participated in Strictly Come Dancing, and that’s a significant step toward success.

New episodes of 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' are broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX nightly at 9 PM.