Reverend Richard Coles has revealed he needs hearing aids after his wild Eighties pop career had a damaging effect on his ears.

The former Communard star, 62, who came third on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here in December, also explained the ‘revelatory’ effect his new state-of-the-art Bluetooth aids had had on his life.

He told The Times that he had only started taking his ear issues seriously when his tinnitus became overwhelming despite significant warning signs, including irritated friends telling him to turn the TV down.

‘The audiologist sat me in a soundproofed booth, gave me headphones and instructed me to listen for tones at various pitches,’ he said. 

‘The graph displayed a drop steeper than Tesla’s share price in my response to high frequencies — the first casualty of the kind of damage too much loud sound can cause.’

He was then given two tiny hearing aids, which offer a variety of settings including adjustable volume and the ability to tune into conversation or background noise depending on the occasion. 

Reverend Richard Coles, 62, has revealed the devastating lasting health effects of his wild Eighties pop career – admitting he now needs hearing aids (pictured in January) 

The former Communard star (pictured, with bandmate Jimmy Somerville circa 1987) also explained the ‘revelatory’ effect his new state-of-the-art Bluetooth aids had had on his life

Richard realised just how good the gadgets were when he attended the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra and Festival Chorus in Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast after years of criticising the playing ability of musical performers.

He wrote: ‘I wondered if hearing aids would offer only slight improvement rather than life-transforming change, but then I went to a concert.

‘It was revelatory — not only a fine performance, but the sound in the hall was crisp, lively, full of attack and sparkle. I have noticed my piano playing has improved, now I can hear more of it, and my friends say my speech has improved as well.’

Not all his problems have disappeared, however. Richard explained that isolating voices in a busy room remains tricky, making trips to packed restaurants a challenge.

Thankfully, the former pop star has found a solution – taking friends to unpopular eateries at off-peak times so the place is practically empty.

Richard was a member of hit British band Bronski Beat from 1983 until he formed the Communards with Jimmy Somerville in 1985.

The duo released music for just three years but in that time they managed to land 1986’s top-selling single, a version of Don’t Leave Me This Way. 

The writer, who kickstarted his career in the church in the Nineties, holds his pop career and frequent visits to loud nightclubs responsible for his hearing problems in later life. 

Indeed, he was issued a warning to take his ears seriously more than 40 years ago by Beatles producer George Martin, who said it was the one piece of advice he wished he had been given when he was first starting out in the industry.

Richard was issued a warning to take his ears seriously more than 40 years ago by Beatles producer George Martin (pictured, in the 80s)

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The words of wisdom had disappointed Richard at the time but, after years of hearing issues and an eventual need for hearing aids, he said he would now pᴀss on the same advice to those coming up in the music world.

The Church of England priest was a hit on I’m A Celeb last year and struck up an unlikely friendship with YouTuber GK Barry during their time on the reality show which led to several hilarious interactions, including discussions over funeral plans, concaved nipples and faith.

While in the jungle last year, the podcast host said: ‘Me and Reverend talk about the most random stuff all day.

‘I think I’m going to have attachment issues when I leave here. I’m going to start going too church just to see him.’

Richard echoed Grace’s thoughts, telling the camera: ‘She’s so funny. I love her angle on things. And she’s a decent, kind, good person.

‘I love GK and I hope that we continue to be friends. She just makes me laugh all the time. I think we’re on each other’s wavelength.

‘I would like to have her around in my life. That would be great.’

And it seems their friendship has stood the test of time with Richard revealing to Lorraine in January that a TV show was in the works – but first they’re going to spend some quality time together.

The Church of England priest was a hit on I’m A Celeb last year and struck up an unlikely friendship with YouTuber GK Barry 

Lorraine said: ‘Everyone is speculating, can you do something together?’

Richard replied: ‘We are going to do something together. We’re having a meeting later today to see if we can – well I’m taking her to the opera.’

‘We’re going to explore our worlds so I’m taking her to the opera and she’s taking me to, well shall we say a spa day with some intimate grooming.

The star’s comments left Lorraine blushing and she replied: ‘You’ll be shocked.’

The former I’m A Celeb camp mate then said: ‘Well she told me what it is and I thought it was a vuvuzela [a plastic horn] which you’ve got at the World Cup remember, but it’s a vajazzle.’

The shocked Lorraine commented: ‘It’ll be a whole new world for you, it’ll be interesting.’

How do hearing aids work? 

Hearing aids don’t make hearing perfect but make sounds louder and clearer.

As a result, the devices make it easier to hear every day sounds, such as the doorbell or phone, and make it easier to hear speech. 

Hearing aids only help if a person still has some hearing left.

The NHS advises people to get one when their hearing starts to deteriorate, rather than waiting too long.

It advises patients with hearing difficulties to go to their GP, who may refer them to a specialist if they think a hearing aid could help.