Richard Coles and Maura Higgins are set to make a big entrance in Thursday's episode of "I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!". They have arrived in Australia, sharing their hopes and fears. The original campmates will now have the chance to get to know their new co-stars around the campfire. Let's take a closer look at Reverend Richard Coles.

Uncover the Journey of Reverend Richard Coles in the Jungle

Richard Coles - A Multi-Faceted Personality

Richard Coles has had an incredibly diverse career. He first rose to fame in the 80s as a pop star, playing saxophone in Bronski Beat. Alongside Jimmy Somerville, they left the group in 1985 to form the Communards and achieved a number one hit with "Don't Leave Me This Way" in 1986. After his pop career ended, he retrained in theology and became a vicar, having a long and fulfilling career in that role. However, in 2022, he retired from his vicarage duties, stating that it was difficult to balance his media work with his parish responsibilities. In recent years, he has transitioned into a new career as an author, releasing three murder mystery novels. He has also bravely spoken about the heartbreak of his partner David's death due to alcoholism. Currently, he is in a relationship with actor Richard Cant.

Preparing for the Jungle

Upon arriving in Australia, Coles shared with journalists that he had been indulging in a high-calorie diet during a recent cruise, with around 5,000 calories a day. But he is expecting to lose weight during his time in the camp. Regarding the possibility of making controversial comments, he said, "I've done reality stuff before, but never been under constant scrutiny for four weeks. I imagine it could be easy to forget oneself after a while, but there are teams of lawyers. The way to handle these things is to throw yourself into them and enjoy to the fullest." He also believes he is well-prepared for life in the camp as he lived in a monastery for two years, knowing what it's like to be locked in with people he didn't choose to be with, thus having some resilience.

The Biggest Jungle Fear

So far, GK Barry and Dean McCullough have been the ones to take on the bushtucker trials, with viewers witnessing their screams. Coles admitted that he might not do well as he has a fear of heights. He told The Sun that his biggest fear is "anything up high. I actually froze with fear on the stepladder the other day. So anything that involves walking on a horrible, rickety tightrope or similar. But I know there will be someone strong with a harness to keep me from falling."

Other Show Appearances

As a vicar, he has made numerous media appearances. Over the years, he has also been a popular choice for entertainment shows. In 2017, he appeared on "Strictly Come Dancing" partnered with Dianne Buswell, although they were voted out second. A year earlier, he did well in the "Celebrity MasterChef" kitchen, finishing in fifth place. He has also participated in "Celebrity Bake Off". In 2022, he made the "Channel 4 documentary Good Grief with Reverend Richard Coles", where he discussed approaches to grieving after the loss of his partner.