Reverend Richard Coles Finds Happiness After Husband's Death, Praises Partner Dickie Cant

Reverend Richard Coles, 64, has shared how his partner, Dickie Cant, has helped him rediscover happiness following the death of his husband, David Oldham. Coles spoke about his relationship on the "White Wine Question Time" podcast, detailing how Cant's empathetic approach to his grief has become a cornerstone of their four-year relationship.

Coles, who lost Oldham in 2019 to alcohol-related liver disease at the age of 43, described Cant, an actor, as "fantastic." He noted that Cant, 62, is highly respectful of the fact that his late husband will always hold a significant place in his heart. "One of the things I love about Dickie, my new partner, is that he's very respectful of the loss around which I live my life," Coles stated. "And he also knows [the loss] is not his, but it's mine. That's very good that he understands that and respects that."

The broadcaster, who was a contestant on "Strictly Come Dancing," admitted that while he has embraced his new relationship, the memory of David remains a constant presence. "I still say his name out loud now sometimes," he said. "Gradually, you start to live more of a life around the loss. I won't want to lose the loss. The least I owe David is to grieve him and to miss him, and I do."

Coles reflected on the strain that Oldham's alcoholism placed on their relationship before his death. "Anyone who's lived with an addict will know - especially an alcoholic, I think - will know that feeling," he said. "I couldn't stop it. And I couldn't understand why he was doing it to himself, why he was doing it to us." He expressed regret for some of the frustrations he felt toward Oldham during his illness, wishing he had not been so angry. Despite the difficulties, Coles remained committed to his husband, stating, "I had one rule, which is that I wasn't going to leave him."

Coles is now building a future with Cant, who has appeared in "The Crown" and "It's a Sin." Cant, the son of late children's television presenter Brian Cant, is described by Coles as having a grounded attitude towards fame, possibly due to his upbringing. "He grew up with a famous dad, and that was really interesting because I think that inoculated him against the more treacherous aspects of fame," Coles observed.

The couple, who reside in East Sussex, are planning to get a dog, though they have not yet agreed on the breed. Coles favors a Cardigan Welsh corgi, while Cant is reportedly less keen. Their plans to welcome a pet this autumn were postponed due to Cant's acting commitments, which will keep him occupied until Christmas. Coles expressed optimism about his current phase of life, stating, "Life's great now. I thought my thirties would be my best decade, and they were great, but I'm really enjoying my sixties. I've got really good friends; I've got a new partner who's fantastic."