Reverend Richard Coles is set to embark on a UK live tour.

His show Borderline National Trinket will run from 7th September to 3rd December 2023.

The promoters explain: "The first vicar to appear on Strictly Come Dancing. The only vicar to have had a number one hit [via 1980s band The Communards]. The inspiration for a popular sitcom (on which he was a consultant) [Rev.]. A fixture on national television and radio, the long-time host of Saturday Live, a Celebrity Masterchef contestant, latterly a bestselling writer.

"Occasionally the job of summarising someone's life in a press release is almost impossible. Indeed, we doubt he'll be able to do it justice even in an entire evening. But what is guaranteed is that it will be hugely entertaining to watch him try.

"Having passed the age of 60 and stepped away from clerical duties, Richard is - as the pyjamas and cuppa suggest - technically retired. Why, then, is he as busy as he's ever been in his life? It didn't help that his memoir of loss, The Madness Of Grief, was a huge bestseller, transfixing readers with its honesty and insight. Nor that he then went and wrote a novel, Murder Before Evensong, which reached number one in the paperback charts, meaning that he's had to write another one (A Death In The Parish).

"Oh, he's also the Chancellor of Northampton University. Of course he is.

"And now - after years as a coveted after-dinner speaker - the (retired) Rev embarks on his first full tour of the country, presenting a warm, witty, gossipy evening of comedy and chat. Impatient Productions are truly proud to unleash the talent and personality of a man who, if anyone does, surely deserves the title of national treasure. Although, being Richard, he's happier with the billing his late partner suggested: borderline national trinket. Whatever label you put on him, this is a tour not to be missed - and that comes directly from God Himself*.

"*Richard would like to stress that he does not in fact have the authority to make this claim."

2023 dates

Thursday 7th September: Havant Spring Arts
Friday 8th September: Horsham The Capitol
Saturday 9th September: Henley On Thames Kenton Theatre
Tuesday 12th September: Cardiff Sherman Theatre
Wednesday 13th September: Carmarthen Lyric Theatre
Sunday 17th September: Kettering Kettering Arts Centre
Tuesday 19th September: Chorley Chorley Theatre
Wednesday 20th September: Chorley Chorley Theatre
Thursday 21st September: Chelmsford Civic Theatre
Wednesday 27th September: Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal
Thursday 28th September: Norwich Norwich Playhouse
Sunday 1st October: Winchester Theatre Royal
Wednesday 4th October: High Wycombe Old Town Hall
Thursday 26th October: Milton Keynes The Stables
Sunday 29th October: Colchester Colchester Arts Centre
Monday 30th October: Swindon Wyvern Theatre
Wednesday 1st November: Blackheath, London Blackheath Halls
Friday 3rd November: Loughborough Loughborough Town Hall
Saturday 4th November: Cheltenham Cheltenham Town Hall
Sunday 5th November: Bath Komedia
Friday 10th November: Brighton Brighton Dome Concert Hall
Sunday 12th November: Leeds City Varieties Music Hall
Wednesday 15th November: Exeter Corn Exchange
Thursday 16th November: Plymouth The Quad Theatre
Sunday 19th November: Guildford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
Tuesday 21st November: Hayes The Beck Theatre
Sunday 26th November: Southend on Sea Palace Theatre
Saturday 2nd December: Crewe Crewe Lyceum
Sunday 3rd December: Salford The Lowry