Strictly's Richard Coles hails late partner a 'hero' after saving man from car-crash

Reverend Richard Coles has hailed his late partner a 'hero' after saving a man from a car-crash back in July 2017.

David was late to see Richard being installed as Northampton University chancellor after coming across the accident and ended up smashing a windscreen to pull the man to safety.

Praising his beloved partner, Richard tweeted:

"What @RevDavidColes is not saying is that after witnessing a crash on the A45 this morning he smashed the windscreen to get to a badly injured man who he assessed for neck injuries and then pulled out of his upside-down car because there was fuel leaking.

Richard led a stunning tribute to his partner Davis after he passed away following a short illness (Charlie Forgham-Bailey /eyevine)

"That's why he was a little late for my installation."

The former Communards star posted a heartbreaking tweet earlier this morning explaining that Rev David Coles had passed away after being ill for some time.

Richard, 57, thanked the "brilliant team" at Kettering General hospital for looking after David in his final days.

Richard and David entered into a civil partnership after the Church of England allowed it in 2005 and they stayed in a celibate relationship. (Twitter)

He tweeted: "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. Funeral details to follow.

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

The couple first met when David went to hear Richard preach in Norwich and fell in love.

Richard and David entered into a civil partnership after the Church of England allowed it in 2005 and they stayed in a celibate relationship.

Richard had hoped to move to Scotland with David and grow old together by the sea (Twitter)

They lived together in St Mary's in Finedon, Northamptonshire with their dogs - and Richard would often talk about their life on his Radio 4 show.

According to Rev Coles' official website, the couple lived together in their vicarage, "which is gradually being destroyed by ... dachshunds Daisy, Pongo, Audrey and Horatio".

Richard, who is best known for his stint on Strictly Come Dancing , previously revealed that he hoped himself and David would move from their home in Northamptonshire in their later years.

David was just 46 years of age when he passed (Twitter)

In 2017, he told the Mail: "I'd like to retire and live in Scotland near the sea, with David and the dogs, never answer another email, and sort of pootle around.

"That's what I'd like to do. I want to look at the sea."

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