Reverend Richard Coles has been left heartbroken after his civil partner passed away.
The former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ contestant, 57, took to Twitter on Tuesday morning (17.12.19) to share the devastating news that Reverend David Coles, 42, had died after a long illness, and to thank Kettering General Hospital in Northamptonshire for looking after him so well.
He wrote: "I’m very sorry to say that @RevDavidColes has died. He had been ill for a while. Thanks to the brilliant teams who looked after him at @KettGeneral. Funeral details to follow. "The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."
The former Communards star – who was a member of the pop duo alongside Jimmy Somerville between 1985 and 1988 – has been showered with messages of condolences from friends and followers, as well as his ‘Strictly’ 2017 dance partner Dianne Buswell and fellow contestant Susan Calman.
The former wrote: "I am so sorry to hear this . Sending all my love to you rev ! my prayers and thoughts are with you x (sic)"
Whilst Susan added: "Oh darling, I’m so sorry. Sending all my love xx (sic)"
Richard and David – who lived together at the vicarage at St Mary’s in Finedon in Northamptonshire – had a cvil ceremony in 2005, and had a celibate relationship.
Two years ago, Richard took to Twitter to hail David’s heroic efforts as he helped free a man from an overturned car in a serious road accident.
He tweeted at the time: "What @RevDavidColes is not saying is that after witnessing a crash on the A45 this morning he smashed the windscreen to get to a badly injured man who he assessed for neck injuries and then pulled out of his upside-down car because there was fuel leaking.
"That’s why he was a little late for my installation."
Rev Richard Coles heartbroken after civil partner dies
