The broadcaster and author Rev Richard Coles is joining the ministry team of a church in Eastbourne.
Announcing the news in a post on X this morning, Mthr Arwen Mary Folkes who is vicar of St Mary the Virgin, Eastbourne, wrote :
"The news is out - I can’t access the original D*ily M*il article, but it is very lovely to welcome
@RevRichardColes to our Ministry Team."
Rev Coles, who was vicar of Finedon in Northamptonshire from 2011 until his retirement from the clergy in 2022, told the Daily Mail: "It's a lovely church and very convenient for Waitrose.
"They've got a robed choir. We sing proper old hymns, the ones I like.
"The vicar is a great preacher. There's tai chi on a Friday. Everything you'd want."
The 63 year old Anglican is also an author, with the number one best-selling crime series The Canon Clement Mysteries.
He's also well known as an entertainer appearing in Strictly Come Dancing and a range of entertainment shows.
More than a quarter of a century ago he was half of pop band The Communards, together with Jimmy Somerville.
Since 2017 he has been Chancellor of the University of Northampton.