King’s Alumni and Reverend becomes fifth contestant in new Strictly Come Dancing series

Swapping theology for tango


King's graduate Reverend Richard Coles has been announced as the 5th contestant to join Strictly Come Dancing for the 2017 series.

A theology graduate and Church of England priest, the 55-year-old Reverend was revealed to be the latest addition to the coming series on Friday. As well as having degrees from King's and University of Leeds, Coles was also a member of the 1980s band the Communards.

The band achieved three Top Ten hits and a best-selling single of 1986, a dance remix of ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’.

Coles will join Strictly Come Dancing along with Gemma Atkinson, Ruth Langsford, Davood Ghadami, and Mollie King, who have also been released as part of the line-up. The former chart-topper is also the co-host of BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live, with a large Twitter following and his own website.

Coles is currently the Vicar of St Mary’s Church in Finedon, Northamptonshire.