TELLY vicar Richard Coles is set to become the latest addition to the jungle – but he’s already made his million from being a man of the cloth.
Richard, 62, will enter I’m A Celebrity tonight, along with Love Island star Maura Higgins.
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Reverend Richard Coles is entering I’m A Celebrity tonightCredit: Australia Media
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The TV vicar earns almost as much as campmate Coleen RooneyCredit: Rex
Most of the constants in this year’s line-up are looking forward to big pay day in exchange for taking part in the show.
But former pop star Rev Coles, who was in 80s group The Communards with Jimmy Somerville, has already reaped in the benefits of being the nation’s favourite TV vicar.
Richard’s firm Mistramark Ltd has paid £179,047 in corporation tax over 2022 and 2023.
The rate at the time was 19 per cent, meaning the company netted around £940k profit.
The business is sitting on £542,977 in ready cash in the bank.
It also has healthy reserves of £354,477, which is three times the previous year of £128,736.
The rich Rev – who was also in 80s band Bronski Beat – is up there as a one of the best paid stars on the box.
Along with his music career, Richard has made his money from his successful career on the box.
He has appeared on shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity MasterChef, Songs Of Praise and Newsnight Review, along with panel game shows such as Have I Got News For You? and QI.
Richard has worked in radio and has also penned a pile of successful crime novels, along with a top selling autobiography.
Yet the Rev Richard is still terrified of what lies ahead on I’m A Celeb, as he is scared of heights and is praying that he won’t be made to do a challenge which includes it.
Confessing which trials he fears most, Richard said: “Anything up high.
“I actually froze with fear on the stepladder the other day.
“So anything which means walking some horrible, rickety tightrope or something.
“But I know that there will be somebody burly with a harness to keep me from falling.”
Speaking about preparing for jungle life by slimming down, Richard also joked: “My run-up to the show was going on a cruise, so I’ve been on a, like, 5,000 calories a day diet.
“So I think I’m already fatter since my measurements the day before yesterday.
“So no, I’ve not done that at all. I tried to, and I thought I should, because I imagine the body will notice going from 5,000 calories a day to 500 calories a day.”
Richard and Love Island star Maura will head into the Australian jungle as latecomers tonight.
The pair are facing a horrible twist, however, and will reportedly be dumped in Jungle Junkyard with no luxury items.
According to MailOnline, they will be placed in “squalor”.
A show source told the publication: “Maura and Richard Coles are in for the shock of their lives when they enter the Australian jungle as they will be sleeping in a horrible junkyard.
“In true I’m A Celeb fashion all is not what it seems, and viewers will soon discover the jungle has many secrets.”
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Richard has made his fortune through various venturesCredit: handout
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He has written a stack of Sunday Times Bestseller crime booksCredit: Amazon
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Richard also has a successful TV career and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017Credit: Handout
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He has appeared on numerous TV game showsCredit: BBC
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Richard admits he is frightened of heightsCredit: Channel 4