The Rev. Richard Coles announces the death of his sister-in-law Louise after the battle of COVID-19

The Rev. Richard Coles has announced that his sister-in-law, Louise, died from COVID-19.

The former Strictly star, 58, visited Twitter on Wednesday to share the devastating news just four months after losing his partner David.

Richard posted a photo of Louise and David together in North Africa while paying tribute to their ‘lovely’ sister-in-law, former French teacher and Fletton and Woodston conservative adviser, Peterborough.

He wrote: ‘My lovely sister-in-law @lozaamandine died this afternoon with COVID19.

‘She made many people very happy, especially @RevDavidColes, with whom she made extravagant and unauthorized expeditions to her beloved North Africa. RIP, dear woman.

Richard’s partner, the Rev. David Coles, passed away in December at age 42 after fighting the disease for more than a year.

Louise, a conservative Fletton and Woodston councilor, Peterborough, had not been feeling well “for some time” with cancer and had caught COVID-19 while shielding herself from the pandemic. She had been elected to the council in May 2019.

Her husband Andy also announced her death on her own Twitter account.

Sharing a photo of the two of them together, he wrote: “ I am very sorry to have to report the death of my wife Louise this afternoon.

‘He had been ill for some time with cancer, but contracted coronavirus even while protecting himself. Fortunately, we had time to prepare, but this was too soon. ‘

Just a few weeks before, Louise had shared a sweet Mother’s Day surprise from her daughter and brother-in-law while isolating herself.

Post a photo of a cardboard sign that says “Pass muvvers dae innit!” with a heart on the fence, she joked: ‘Yes. It is lovely to have the children living next door.

With Louise’s husband adding that they had also isolated themselves after showing symptoms, she tweeted, “ They are also isolating themselves while Sam works in the hospital and had a little cough and temperature a week ago.

‘They’ll be out in a week. We will be doing this for a minimum of three months. Strange times we live in.

While Richard also shared the image and wrote: “My sister-in-law, self-isolated in Peterborough, was not forgotten by her daughter and son-in-law yesterday.”

Louise’s husband Andy also shared Richard’s announcement and added: ‘And don’t forget that weekend’ house search ‘in France.

We almost finished with two farms and an 18th century cider to share! The mischievous step in heaven seems to be the place to be. ‘

Andy added that his two pets, Ramsis and Noot, are comforting him as he shared a photo of them huddled next to him at his home.

Richard’s supporters sent their support and tributes to Louise after announcing the news.

Presenter Matthew Wright said, ‘So I’m sorry x’.

Radio announcer Shelagh Fogarty said: ‘I am sorry to hear this, Richard. My sympathy towards you and your family.

Comedian Jenny Eclair commented, “Sending love, strength and sympathy, I am so sorry.”

While author Catherine Mayer noted: ‘I am so sorry. Losing someone else right now, especially someone so integral to his shared story with David, is too much to bear. Except that you …

To which Richard replied, “Yes, what else are you going to do?”

In December, Richard announced that his partner David had died at age 42 from being “sick for a while.”

Richard, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, entered into a civil partnership with David after the Church of England allowed him in 2005, but they were celibate.

The couple lived together with their dogs Daisy, Pongo, Audrey and Horatio at St Mary’s Vicarage in Finedon, Northamptonshire.

Richard wrote at the time: “ I am very sorry to say that the Rev. David Coles is dead. He had been sick for a while. Thanks to the brilliant teams who cared for him at Kettering General Hospital. Funeral details to follow ‘.

Then he quoted Isaiah 60:20: “The Lord will be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning will end,” but he did not reveal the cause of David’s death.

Richard often spoke lovingly about David and their life together, particularly on his Radio 4: Saturday Live show. But his dream of retiring to Scotland with his four dogs will now not come true.

While David was ordained, he was no longer working as a priest, however, the supporting role he has played for his companion has been deemed vital to Rev Coles, his parishioners said.

In his previous life, Richard had been the instrumentalist half of the 1980s pop duo The Communards with Jimmy Sommerville, who had a number one single, Don’t Leave Me This Way, and a number of other hits that earned him millions. .