AN ESSEX boy has been named as the next Bishop of Chelmsford – and his name isn’t John.

The Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Reading, will take up the post officially in the autumn.

But on Monday he came to the county town to introduce himself.

He said: “I knew about six or seven weeks ago, but it was surrounded by secrecy.

“I was born and brought up in Essex and although I have not lived here since I was 18, I think of it as home.”

“I am looking forward to returning to this large and richly diverse diocese and excited by the challenges that lie ahead.”

The 51-year-old was accompanied by his wife Rebecca.

They were childhood sweethearts and met in Leigh when she was 17 and he was 19 and were married at St Margaret’s Church, in Leigh. They now have three sons.

The Chelmsford diocese is the second largest in the country with 2.8 million people and covers the whole of Essex and five East London boroughs.

The Rt Rev Cottrell will head up a team of three area bishops and there are 608 churches in the diocese.

He joked about his first name not being John – the last five Bishops of Chelmsford have all had the same christian name.

He said: “They will have to change the headed notepaper.”

The last Bishop, John Gladwin, retired in August last year and the acting Bishop has been the Bishop of Bradwell, the Rt Rev Dr Laurie Green. Bishop Cottrell said he had spoken with Mr Gladwin, who had congratulated him.

“I shall be building on some good foundation work here. I am mindful of the work that has been done here during the episcopal vacancy and I am looking forward to coming.”

When asked what he felt was his greatest challenge he said: “There are many thousands growing up with no contact with the church and I have a great desire to find ways to contact particularly with the young, Also we have to inhabit this planet in a sustainable way for the future.”

He was also asked about the upcoming general election.

He said it was important for people to vote, although he understood there was a lack of confidence in the political process at the moment The Bishop has been at Reading for six years and is the author of many books.

He told an audience at Essex County Council’s chamber he was a lifelong Spurs fan, but said his grandfather took him to Southend United’s Roots Hall when he was young.

Diplomatically he said: “I think I shall have to adopt Southend again and pray for them to stay up. Also I understand Chelmsford City are doing well.”