From rock music to rectory, former Communard Richard tells his story in south Shropshire
He's best known for his transition from rock star to rectory.
Reverend Richard Coles who had a number one single with The Communards shared his incredible story to hundreds of people in south Shropshire.
He was the guest of honour at Clun Valley North Women's Institute Group Meeting, sharing his life story, "from pop star to priest", with members of the WI from all over Shropshire and parts of Powys.
Sandra Davies, from the Women's Institute, said that a fantastic night had been had by all.
"It was brilliant," she said. "He's a very nice man, very easy to speak to. He stood and spoke for over an hour, no paper, and took questions afterwards. Everybody really enjoyed it.
"He spoke about his life. He sang in a choir as a child, then went on until he was with The Communards, and then told us about how he got to be a vicar.
"At the end people asked how he had the calling and how he managed to juggle life as a vicar with being on the radio. I would imagine he's a very good vicar."
About 300 tickets were sold for the show, both to members of the WI and people who just wanted to see him speak.
Reverend Coles is the only Church of England priest to have had a British number one single with Jimmy Somerville in The Communards. The single, Don't leave me this way, was the biggest selling single of 1986.
He is co-presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live and is regularly seen as a guest panellist on shows such as Would I Lie To You?, Have I Got News For You? and QI. He is often known as Britain’s most famous vicar.
