Presenter and TV personality Reverend Richard Coles, had admitted to taking the weight loss jab Mounjaro at the age of 63.
Richard joined Ranvir Singh on Lorraine for a refreshingly honest chat about ageing, health, fame and finding love again. Speaking openly on live TV, the former Communards star also discussed adjusting to hearing aids, and how his time on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! has introduced him to a brand new generation of fans. Coles, who finished third on the hit ITV show, also shared personal reflections on grief, second chances, and the joy of new romance—with his trademark wit and warmth on full display throughout the conversation.
Taking weight loss injections
Opening up about why he began taking weight loss medication, Richard said:
“So I am on Mounjaro which is one of the versions of the weight loss jabs. I got on it because I was just getting older and fatter, which you do. And my doctor said, when I had the medical for the jungle, they said ‘you need to think about your weight because you might be getting to pre-diabetic’.
He added that his lifestyle on the road makes it harder to maintain healthy habits.
“If I am on tour all the time, [I have] hotel breakfasts, midnight kebabs, which okay are not compulsory but very difficult to resist, but I do need something to help me along the way. So the weight loss jabs, which I’ve found that I’ve got on with absolutely fine, they just decrease my appetite but in a sort of gentle and manageable sort of way.”
With a trademark touch of humour, he quipped:
“Also my neighbours nagged me about it so much, I think they get 15% off if they sign somebody up, I’m not sure.”
When asked by Ranvir about any adverse effects, Richard replied:
“Not ones that I really want to go into, but all manageable. I think it was a bit of an adjustment getting used to it, but it isn't something that interferes with my life too much - I simply just eat less and that’s good for me.”
Wearing hearing aids
He also shared that he’s now wearing hearing aids due to suffering from hearing loss—and is glad he did:
“There is nothing wrong with being 63, right? The other thing is, the benefits that it brings you are so great. For instance, if I am listening to music now, I have realised for years that I have missed a lot of it because of the high frequencies, I can simply not hear. [I] Whack in my hearing aids and all of a sudden I'm 17 again.”
Sharing his life philosophy, Richard said:
“Life is a gift, make the most of it”
The former Communards musician, who placed third on I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! last December, explained how his stint on the show introduced him to a younger generation. He said:
“I’ve been invisible to young people for 40 years, and all of a sudden because I am mates with GK Barry now, lots of young people come up and say ‘hello’ which is great, and they come to the show.”
Experiencing love after loss
He spoke movingly about rediscovering love after loss, saying:
“Love has said yes to me which is even better.”
“So I was widowed in 2019 and then I thought that was me done. I couldn’t imagine ever getting together [again]. And then all of a sudden I thought I could, and thanks to my nephew and nieces I discovered dating apps. I got on one which is basically for old gays. Our first date was a Royal Horticultural Society garden with quiche and salad afterwards, but yeah I met Dickie and we’re now living together and having a lovely time.”
Watch Lorraine weekdays from 9am on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player
Claire Tapley is a digital editor for Yours.co.uk. She is a journalist with over 16 years' experience writing for women over 50. In her previous role she was deputy editor on Yours magazine for nine years, before moving over to Yours.co.uk.
She is extremely passionate about all things health related, specifically fitness and healthy eating. She has a huge amount of knowledge on all areas that interest women over 50 including health, wellbeing, finance, food, tech, beauty and fashion.