Reverend Richard Coles has announced that his sister-in-law, Louise, has died from COVID-19.
The former Strictly star, 58, took to Twitter on Wednesday to share the devastating news just four months after losing his partner David.
Richard posted a picture of Louise and David together in North Africa as he paid tribute to his ‘lovely’ sister-in-law.
Sad: Reverend Richard Coles has announced that his sister-in-law, Louise, has died from COVID-19 (pictured in April 2019)
He wrote: ‘My lovely sister in law @lozaamandine died this afternoon with COVID19.
‘She made lots of people very happy, not least @RevDavidColes , with whom she went on extravagant and unauthorised expeditions to her beloved North Africa. RIP, darling woman.’
Richard’s partner, Reverend David Coles, passed away in December aged 42 after battling illness for more than a year.
The former Celebrity MasterChef star’s followers sent their support and own tributes to Louise.
Heartbreaking: The former Strictly star, 58, took to Twitter on Wednesday to share the devastating news just four months after losing his partner David (pictured with Louise)
Tribute: Richard posted a picture of Louise and David together in North Africa as he paid tribute to his ‘lovely’ sister-in-law
Presenter Matthew Wright put: ‘So, so sorry x.’
Radio host Shelagh Fogarty said: ‘So sorry to hear this Richard. My sympathy to you and your family.’
Comedian Jenny Eclair commented: ‘Sending love,strength and sympathy- I’m so sorry.’
While author Catherine Mayer noted: ‘I’m so very sorry. To lose someone else right now, especially someone so integral to your shared history with David, is too much to bear. Except that you will…’
To which Richard replied with: ‘Yes, what else are you going to do?’
Heartache: Richard’s partner, Reverend David Coles, passed away in December aged 42 after battling illness for more than a year
Support: The former Celebrity MasterChef star’s followers sent their support and own tributes to Louise
In December, Richard announced that his partner David had passed away aged 42 having been ‘ill for a while’.
Richard, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, entered into a civil partnership with David after the Church of England allowed it in 2005 – but they were celibate.
The couple lived together with their dogs Daisy, Pongo, Audrey and Horatio in the vicarage of St Mary’s in Finedon, Northamptonshire.
Richard wrote at the time: ‘I’m very sorry to say that Rev David Coles has died. He had been ill for a while. Thanks to the brilliant teams who looked after him at Kettering General Hospital. Funeral details to follow’.
Partner: Richard entered into a civil partnership with David after the Church of England allowed it in 2005 – but they were celibate
Home life: The couple lived together with their dogs Daisy, Pongo, Audrey and Horatio in the vicarage of St Mary’s in Finedon, Northamptonshire (pictured in 2014)
He then quoted Isaiah 60:20: ‘The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended’, but did not reveal the cause of David’s death.
Richard often spoke with love about David and their life together, particularly on his Radio 4 show: Saturday Live. But their dream of retiring to Scotland with their four dogs will now not happen.
While David was ordained, he was no longer working as a priest, however, the supportive role he has played for his partner has been considered vital for the Rev Coles, his parishioners said.
In his previous life Richard had been the instrumentalist half of the Eighties pop duo The Communards with Jimmy Sommerville, who had a Number One single Don’t Leave Me This Way, and a number of other hits which made him millions.
Past: Richard was in The Communards with Jimmy Sommerville and they made millions from a string of hit singles before he turned to God (pictured)