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Reverend Richard Coles says 'lovely' sister-in-law has died of coronavirus

Reverend Richard Coles at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London (Press Association)
Reverend Richard Coles at the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 at Broadcasting House in London (Press Association)

Reverend Richard Coles has revealed that he has lost his “lovely” sister-in-law to coronavirus.

The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant posted a tribute to Louise Coles on Twitter, calling her a “darling woman”.

“My lovely sister in law @lozaamandine died this afternoon with COVID19,” he wrote.

"She made lots of people very happy, not least @RevDavidColes, with whom she went on extravagant and unauthorised expeditions to her beloved North Africa.

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“RIP, darling woman."

The news comes just months after Coles lost his partner the Reverend David Coles, who passed away in December after an illness.

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The pair were in a civil partnership and the star’s website said at the time that they had lived together with their four dogs in their vicarage in Finedon, Northamptonshire.

Announcing his partner’s death on Twitter, the heartbroken star said: "I'm very sorry to say that @RevDavidColes has died. He had been ill for a while.

“Thanks to the brilliant teams who looked after him at @KettGeneral.”

He added: “The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.”

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Coles was the keyboard player in 80s band The Communards, who achieved three Top Ten hits.

He was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, and has been a co-presenter on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live programme since 2011.