Jimmy Somerville Now: Net Worth, Friendship with Richard Coles

Jimmy Somerville’s piercing falsetto from ‘Smalltown Boy’ helped define 1980s synth-pop, but his story since has been quieter, more private. Today, at 63, he’s still making music, living in London, and close with his old bandmate Richard Coles.

Born: 26 July 1961 (age 63) ·
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor ·
Years active: 1983–present ·
Known for: Bronski Beat, The Communards, Smalltown Boy ·
Residence: London, England

Seven key facts frame Jimmy Somerville’s career, from his Glasgow roots to his current London life.

What has happened to Jimmy Somerville?

Recent activities: 2024–2025 live album and tour

• In March 2025, Somerville released a digital live album Live At Blunotte Open Air (Oxford Mail – regional UK news).
• A single “Don’t Leave Me This Way” preceded the album, keeping his classic Communards sound alive.

Somerville has been touring periodically, though he keeps a lower profile than his 1980s heyday.

Social media presence and public appearances

• He maintains official accounts on Instagram and Facebook, posting updates about shows and personal reflections.
• Public appearances are selective; he rarely gives long interviews.

The implication: Fans expecting a full-scale comeback tour may be disappointed, but those who value new music from an iconic voice have reason to celebrate.

Are Jimmy Somerville and Richard Coles still friends?

The history of their friendship

Richard Coles was 18 when he met Jimmy Somerville in London. Coles, then a saxophonist, was invited to play on tour with Somerville in 1983, according to Coles’ official biography (Richard Coles official site – about page). They formed The Communards in 1985 and became “instant friends because they were opposites,” Coles told Classic Pop (UK music magazine). The band lasted about three years, but Coles says they “never actually split up” — they simply paused.

Current relationship: what they’ve said about each other

• An Oxford Mail article from December 2024 confirms they are still friends (Oxford Mail).
• Coles described Somerville as “a major talent of the 1980s” on the BBC (BBC – Radio 2 interview).
• In a YouTube conversation, Coles recalled they were “more than just being friends” before the band formed (YouTube – interview clip).

“We were instant friends because we were opposites.”

— Richard Coles, Classic Pop

“I wanted people to love me.”

— Jimmy Somerville, The Independent

The pattern: Their friendship has survived decades, distance, and different career paths. Coles became a vicar and broadcaster; Somerville stayed in music. Yet they’ve never drifted apart.

How rich is Jimmy Somerville?

Estimated net worth

No reliable public figure exists. Online estimates vary wildly: a low-quality 2025 article from Mediamass claims $185 million (Mediamass – entertainment gossip), while MarkMeets and iP Paraguay both estimate around $10 million (MarkMeets – celebrity net worth site; iP Paraguay – entertainment page). The disparity is so large that no credible conclusion can be drawn.

Sources of income: music royalties, live performances

• Royalties from Bronski Beat and The Communards catalogues, including “Smalltown Boy” and “Don’t Leave Me This Way”.
• Live performances and occasional album sales.
• No endorsement deals or major business ventures are publicly known.

The trade-off: Fans want to know his financial status, but the truth is that privacy and lack of public disclosure mean we simply don’t have a reliable number.

What happened to Bronski Beat’s lead singer?

Departure from Bronski Beat and formation of The Communards

Somerville left Bronski Beat in 1985 due to creative differences, according to the band’s history. He immediately formed The Communards with Richard Coles. The group scored a No. 1 hit with “Don’t Leave Me This Way” in 1986 (BBC – Coles interview). The Communards disbanded in 1988, after about three years together.

Later solo career and activism

• In 1991 he released a remix of “Smalltown Boy” as a solo artist.
• His solo album Read My Lips (1992) included the hit “To Love Somebody”.
• He has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights throughout his career.

The catch: Somerville’s departure from Bronski Beat was amicable, but it marked the end of a band that had become a symbol of queer visibility in pop music.

Where does Jimmy Somerville live today?

Current residence

Somerville lives in London, England. He has not disclosed the exact neighbourhood, and he keeps his home life private. His official biography lists London as his residence (Richard Coles official site).

Personal life: partner and marital status

• He is not married, but reportedly in a long-term relationship with a partner whose name is not public.
• He does not share details about his relationship on social media.

Why this matters: In an era of oversharing, Somerville’s restraint feels deliberate. It allows his music to speak louder than his personal life.

Timeline

• 1983 – Co-founded Bronski Beat
• 1984 – “Smalltown Boy” reaches No. 3 in UK
• 1985 – Leaves Bronski Beat; forms The Communards with Richard Coles
• 1986 – “Don’t Leave Me This Way” hits No. 1
• 1988 – The Communards disband
• 1991 – Solo remix of “Smalltown Boy”
• 2025 – Live album Live At Blunotte Open Air

For fans of 1980s pop music, Jimmy Somerville’s story proves that some bonds — and some voices — endure long after the spotlight moves on. His choice to stay private, keep making music, and maintain a decades-long friendship with a former bandmate may be the most quietly impressive act of his career.

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