Reverend Richard Coles to host the Charity Awards 2019

The Reverend Richard Coles has been announced as the host of the Charity Awards for the second year running.

Coles, a Radio 4 broadcaster, writer and priest who is known for being one half of the 1980s band The Communards, will host the awards which are held annually to recognise organisations doing exceptional work in charitable activity. Civil Society Media’s annual awards programme identifies, recognises and rewards those organisations doing exceptional work in all areas of charitable activity.

Coles said: “I’m very pleased and honoured to be asked to present the Charity Awards again. I was very moved by the stories we heard last year about the amazing work done by so many committed and creative people in the sector; and the opportunity to thrill the audience with my deft keyboard skills, so reminiscent of Les Dawson in his heyday, made my year.”

Cathy Phelan, Charity Awards judge and director/owner of Civil Society Media, said: “I am not ashamed to say that my admiration of Richard Coles dates back to the early eighties when his band The Communards ruled the charts.

“Happy days spent bopping around to ‘Don’t leave me this way’ aided and abetted by the ubiquitous bottle of Lambrusco and a shared kebab… I knew that he would make an excellent host for The Charity Awards but I didn’t realise that he would simply be the best ever, and that’s not the Lambrusco talking!”

Andrew Pitt, Charity Awards judge and head of charities at Rathbones, added: “We’re really delighted the Reverend will be hosting the 20th Charity Awards. His warmth and humour were much appreciated by our prize-winning charities and guests last year and we look forward to welcoming him to the stage again at the ceremony.”

The shortlist will be published in May and the winners will be announced during a black-tie ceremony at The Pavilion in the grounds of the Tower of London on 5 June. The awards are sponsored by Rathbones, with the Charities Aid Foundation as awards supporter.