**Reverend Richard Coles Shares Candid Stories of His Colourful Past, Including Burger Van Mishap**
Reverend Richard Coles, one of the Church of England’s most recognisable priests and a former pop music sensation, has opened up about an incident from his earlier years that left him with a rather embarrassing injury and a lifetime of memories. Speaking candidly on the podcast “Rylan: How to Be in Love,” Coles recalled a youthful escapade that culminated in an unexpected trip to a burger van and a painful encounter with a hot griddle.
Before taking holy orders, Coles led an eventful life which, as he amusingly recounted, involved some unconventional experiences on the roadways of the English Midlands. “I went through a period of having a very interesting and full life,” Coles reminisced to host Rylan Clark. He explained that he had discovered what he called “casual sex in a place where it wasn’t often found, which is on the road network of the Midlands.” When prodded about whether this counted as “dogging,” Coles laughed off the suggestion, clarifying instead that it was more about chance encounters in those remote roadside spots.
The clergyman went on to describe a particularly memorable encounter with the proprietor of a burger van. “There was one chap I remember… there was a burger van out there, and I ended up getting off with the burger man,” Coles shared with a chuckle. As the two sought privacy by closing up the van, things took an unfortunate turn when Coles unintentionally pressed his hand onto a hot surface, leaving him with a burn – a mishap that has lingered in his memory.
He added, in his trademark dry wit, “I have to say as well, the food hygiene has got a lot better since then.” The incident, which occurred well before his days as a clergyman, is a far cry from his current public image, but Coles made no attempt to shy away from his past.
For those who recognise Reverend Coles from his music career, the revelations may not come as a complete surprise. Before finding faith and serving in the Church, Coles was a member of the chart-topping groups Bronski Beat and The Communards during the 1980s. His journey from the stage to the pulpit has long fascinated fans and followers alike, and he has rarely hesitated to share stories from his adventurous youth.
In the same podcast interview, Coles revealed yet another escapade: he claimed to be barred for life from the car hire company Avis, following a wild holiday in Ibiza where he and his friends overindulged in the full trappings of a rock and roll lifestyle. “It was after The Communards [the band] reached its highest point and we were taking a break – which we are still on 35 years later,” he joked, referencing the group’s lengthy unofficial hiatus.
He described a hedonistic period on the Spanish island, admitting: “I just was… off my head for many, many months.” During that time, Coles and his companions rented numerous cars from Avis, so much so that the company eventually refused to serve him. “Mavis from Avis, she was furious,” Coles said, recalling the fury of the company’s representative.
Rylan, the podcast host, expressed disbelief at the story and pressed Coles for clarification, asking: “Stop! Got barred from Avis?” With characteristic honesty, Reverend Coles confirmed, “Yeah, for life.”
To complete his collection of jaw-dropping anecdotes, Coles recounted another moment of rock star excess: buying a speedboat in Ibiza, only to lose track of what became of it. “I bought a speedboat and I don’t know where it is,” he admitted, summing up the recklessness and unpredictability that defined that phase of his life.
Now a much-loved broadcaster, author, and priest, Coles has never attempted to erase or disguise his unique and chequered past. Instead, he often draws on his experiences to inform his views and connect with people from all walks of life. His willingness to share even the most awkward or outrageous moments, complete with self-deprecating humour, continues to endear him to listeners both inside and outside the church.
As public figures increasingly reveal more of their private lives through platforms such as podcasts, Reverend Coles’s approach remains refreshingly honest and unabashed, highlighting the power of owning one’s story – however unconventional it may be.