STRICTLY Come Dancing star Richard Coles has revealed he’s found love again, after the death of his husband.
Richard, 61, who was on Strictly in 2017, lost his partner Reverend David Coles three and a half years ago at the age of 43, after a battle with alcoholism.
And ex vicar Richard, who worked as a BBC radio presenter and writer, turned to dating site Elite Singles – a platform that has now helped him to find love again.
“I wanted to go on a website where I would meet someone who was not looking for a sugar daddy, who was my age, who lived in my sort of world, who I could share my life with,” Richard explained.
He continued to tell the Sunday Times that his new relationship is with 58-year-old Dickie Cant, who is the son of the late actor and Play Away presenter Brian.
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According to the Strictly star it was Dickie who made the first move, after sending him a “waving hello” on the site, which is designed for people who are “serious about dating.”
The pair enjoyed a first date at a Royal Horticultural Society and the rest is history.
He says his new love interest isn’t bothered by fame and in turn, he isn’t bothered by Dickie’s atheism.
In the interview, Richard also discussed losing his husband.
He said: “I'm angry when people speak in a way that means they think you should be over it. It's not a cold,” and admitted that losing him “messed his f***ing life up.”
Rev Richard Coles first found fame as part of The Communards alongside Jimmy Somerville, who had been friends before joining the band.
They formed the band in 1984 after Jimmy left Bronski Beat, and were known for hits including Don't Leave Me This Way, and Never Can Say Goodbye.
After leaving his music behind at the end of the 80s, he began writing for the Times Literary Supplement and Catholic Herald.
He announced the tragic news that his husband had passed on Twitter, thanking hospital staff for caring for his long-term partner.
In his Twitter bio, David described himself as a "carer to FIVE delinquent yet delightful dachshunds.
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“A dilettante potter, designer, gardener and narrow boat enthusiast."
The couple didn't have any children, and were in a celibate, civil partnership.
Then it was in 2021 that Richard revealed David had died from alcoholism.
In an extract from his book The Madness Of Grief: A Memoir Of Love And Loss, Richard, said: "It was really, really tough to see somebody you love destroy himself.
"It is like someone is drowning and you throw them a lifebelt but they are just not taking the lifebelt.
"And I did try everything I could think of to help him stop drinking, and in fairness to him he did try too, but it was too much for him."