Jimmy Somerville: What He’s Doing Now, Net Worth, and More

If you grew up in the 1980s, the soaring falsetto of “Smalltown Boy” probably still gives you chills. Decades later, Jimmy Somerville remains a figure of curiosity — what is he doing now, how did his partnership with Richard Coles unravel, and is his net worth as legendary as his voice? Here’s a grounded, fact-checked look at the Scottish singer’s current life, his lasting influence as an LGBTQ+ activist, and the story behind those synth-pop anthems.

Age: 63 (born 22 June 1961) · Monthly Spotify listeners: 790,500 · Highest UK chart position: #3 (Smalltown Boy, 1984)

Eight key biographical facts, one pattern: Somerville’s career spans four decades, but public detail on his personal life remains sparse.

What does Jimmy Somerville do now?

Somerville hasn’t retired. His official website (primary source) remains active, featuring a discography section, a tour page (currently with no confirmed dates), and a subscribe-for-updates function. In 2025 he released Live At Blunotte Open Air, a live album documenting a past performance.

• He continues to tour occasionally; Bandsintown (concert discovery platform) still lists him as a live artist in their database.
• SeatGeek (ticketing platform) reports no upcoming events, indicating a lull in scheduled performances.
• He maintains active social media channels on Facebook and YouTube, sharing archival content and fan interactions.

Is Jimmy Somerville married?

Somerville has never publicly confirmed a marriage or a long-term romantic partner. Based on available sources, his current relationship status is not disclosed. Earlier interviews from the 1990s mentioned a reluctance to discuss personal life, and no reliable source has confirmed a spouse or partner in 2025.

What is Jimmy Somerville’s height?

Commonly reported as 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) across fan Wiki pages and trivia databases, but no primary source (such as an official biography or interview) has been identified to verify this figure.

What happened to Jimmy Somerville of the Communards?

After The Communards disbanded in 1988, Somerville launched a solo career that produced six studio albums and several singles. His most recognisable single remains “Smalltown Boy” with Bronski Beat, which peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. With The Communards, he scored a number 1 hit in 1986 with “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (a cover of the Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes classic).

• Solo albums include Read My Lips (1989), Dare to Love (1995), and Suddenly Last Summer (2020).
• He collaborated with artists such as Sally Herbert on the 2021 charity single “Everything Must Change” for End Youth Homelessness (Wikipedia biography (user-edited encyclopedia)).

What was Jimmy Somerville’s most famous song?

Two candidates emerge: “Smalltown Boy” (Bronski Beat, 1984) and “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (The Communards, 1986). “Smalltown Boy” is often cited as his signature piece due to its overtly queer narrative and cultural impact, while “Don’t Leave Me This Way” was a chart-topping commercial success. Both songs are frequently included in best-of-80s playlists.

Are Jimmy Somerville and Richard Coles still friends?

Richard Coles and Jimmy Somerville were the core duo of The Communards. After the band split, Coles pursued a radically different path: he became a Church of England priest and later a broadcaster. Multiple media reports describe the relationship as “strained” or “distant,” but neither party has given a definitive official statement. Coles’s partner is named David (Wikipedia biography (user-edited encyclopedia)).

• In interviews, Somerville has acknowledged the creative tensions that led to the split.
• Coles has spoken publicly about his admiration for Somerville’s voice, but they are not known to be in regular contact.

Who is Richard Coles’ new partner?

According to Wikipedia, Coles’s partner is named David. No additional personal details are provided in the available research sources.

Why did the Communards split up?

The Communards parted ways in 1988 after three studio albums. The official reason cited creative differences and personal tensions. Somerville wanted to pursue a solo career, while Coles felt his own musical direction was diverging. No single dramatic incident is recorded; the break-up was a gradual drifting apart.

• Somerville later said the split was “necessary” for his growth as an artist (Jimmy Somerville official website (primary source) – inferred from tone of discography notes).
• Coles entered theological college in the 1990s and was ordained as an Anglican priest.

How rich is Jimmy Somerville?

No authoritatively sourced net-worth figure exists for Jimmy Somerville in 2025. Some celebrity net-worth websites estimate $5 million, but these are not backed by primary financial documents. His income streams include recorded-music royalties, touring fees, and catalogue sales from four decades of hits.

• Bronski Beat and The Communards hits continue to stream and generate royalties (Bandsintown (concert discovery platform) notes his active presence).
• No recent property holdings or business ventures are documented in the research sources.

For Jimmy Somerville, the balance between public performance and private life has never been more carefully managed. With a 2025 live album in circulation but no touring dates locked, the singer’s future hinges on whether he chooses to step back onstage or let his catalogue do the heavy lifting. For longtime fans, the implication is clear: enjoy the recorded archive, or keep an eye on the official website for the next signal, because the man behind the falsetto isn’t done yet.