Driving Home for Christmas singer Chris Rea dies aged 74
Chris Rea's death was announced on Monday by his family. (Michael Stephens/PA via AP, File)
In short:
Driving Home for Christmas singer Chris Rea has died aged 74.
His family said he died after a short illness and confirmed his passing in a statement on Monday, UK time.
He recorded 25 solo albums, two of which topped UK charts, and he was nominated for a Grammy.
British singer Chris Rea, best known for the 1980s festive hit Driving Home for Christmas, has died at the age of 74.
"Singer/songwriter and guitarist Chris Rea passed away earlier today in hospital following a short illness," his family said in a statement.
"He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family."
A post on his official social media channels added: "Chris's music has created the soundtrack to many lives, and his legacy will live on through the songs he leaves behind."
No further details were immediately provided.
The musician, born in 1951 in Middlesbrough, north-east England, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had his pancreas removed in 2001, and in 2016 he suffered a stroke.
He first found fame in Britain in the late 1970s with Fool (If You Think It's Over), following up in the 1980s with Let's Dance and The Road to Hell.
He recorded 25 solo albums — two of which topped the UK albums chart — while he also earned a Grammy nomination early in his career.
His 1986 track Driving Home for Christmas became synonymous with the festive season, often reappearing in the British singles chart in December.
Chris Rea was known for his gravelly voice and slide guitar-playing. (AP Photo/Christof Stache, File)
In recent weeks it had reached number 30 and also featured in the Christmas advert for UK supermarket chain Marks & Spencer.
The song "tells the story of a weary traveller making his way home, a moment of warmth, humour and holiday spirit that's never lost its magic", according to Rea's website.
In interviews, he has revealed he wrote the song during a difficult period eight years earlier when his manager had left him, he had been banned from driving and his wife was behind the wheel.
"I'd look across at the other drivers, who all looked so miserable," he previously said.
"Jokingly, I started singing 'We're driving home for Christmas …' then, whenever the street lights shone inside the car, I started writing down the lyrics."
His hometown football club, Middlesbrough FC, posted on X that it was "deeply saddened" by news of his death, calling him "a Teesside icon".
AFP