XMAS LEGEND GONE Chris Rea dead: Driving Home For Christmas singer dies aged 74 after short illness
DRIVING Home for Christmas singer Chris Rea has died aged 74.
The singer-songwriter, from Middlesbrough, penned the smash hit, which makes a reappearance on the UK Singles Chart every year, in 1978.
Chris Rea penned the legendary Christmas tune ‘Driving Home for Christmas’Credit: Redferns
Rea is survived by his two daughters Josephine and JuliaCredit: Getty
Rea has recorded 25 studio albums, two of which topped the UK Albums ChartCredit: GettyHe died in hospital, just three days before Christmas, following a short illness, a spokesperson for his family said.
In a statement on behalf of his wife and two children, they said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris.
“He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.”
His wife Joan was there when the hitmaker wrote the Christmas favourite Driving Home for Christmas.
The pair have been together since they met as 16 year olds in Middlesbrough.
It was often joked Rea had the longest surviving relationship in the music industry.
DRIVING Home for Christmas singer Chris Rea has died aged 74.
The singer-songwriter, from Middlesbrough, penned the smash hit, which makes a reappearance on the UK Singles Chart every year, in 1978.
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Chris Rea penned the legendary Christmas tune ‘Driving Home for Christmas’Credit: Redferns
Rea is survived by his two daughters Josephine and JuliaCredit: Getty
Rea has recorded 25 studio albums, two of which topped the UK Albums ChartCredit: Getty
It comes as:
Driving Home for Christmas singer Chris Rea has died aged 74
He passed away in hospital, just three days before Christmas
His wife and children shared their ‘immense sadness’ in a statement
Rea’s tragic final TV appearance has resurfaced
The star battled ill health for several years
Rea’s wife of 57 years Joan played a key role in writing his Christmas smash hit
He died in hospital, just three days before Christmas, following a short illness, a spokesperson for his family said.
In a statement on behalf of his wife and two children, they said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris.
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“He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.”
His wife Joan was there when the hitmaker wrote the Christmas favourite Driving Home for Christmas.
The pair have been together since they met as 16 year olds in Middlesbrough.
It was often joked Rea had the longest surviving relationship in the music industry.
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The couple shared two daughters together Josephine, born September 16, 1983, and Julia Christina, born March 18, 1989.
Chris’ last TV appearance was on Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing in 2020.
He guest starred on the show for a special Christmas episode where he talked about his battle with serious health issues over the years.
The hour-long special saw Bob Mortimer return to his childhood roots in Middlesbrough where Chris was born in 1951.
Speaking to Bob Mortimer about his Christmas hits origins, Rea previously said: “I was on the dole when I wrote that.
“My manager had just left me. I’d just been banned from driving.
“My now wife, Joan, had to drive down to London to pick me up in the Mini and take me home, and that’s when I wrote it.”
After the very same drive up north Rea would receive a cheque for £15,000 upon stepping through his front door.
His song Fool (if you think it’s over) had become a hit in America and earned him a large sum.
The timing couldn’t have been better given he was down to his last £200, he claimed.
It was a while before Driving Home would make any money.
Rea has recorded 25 studio albums, two of which topped the UK Albums Chart, The Road to Hell in 1989 and its successor, Auberge, in 1991.
He had already become a major European star by the time he finally cracked the UK Top 10 with the single The Road to Hell (Part 2).
Rea was born on March 4, 1951, in Middlesbrough in the North Riding of Yorkshire to an Italian father, Camillo Rea, and an Irish mother, Winifred K. Slee.
In 1973 he joined the local Middlesbrough band Magdalene and began writing songs.
He went on to enjoy a long and successful career in the British music industry.
His most famous song Driving Home for Christmas has made a reappearance on the UK Singles Chart every year since 2007.
Hitmaker Chris Rea had been together with his wife since the pair were just 16 years oldCredit: PA
The legendary musician had struggled with his health for yearsCredit: Getty
Rea’s wife was with him when he wrote the Christmas hitCredit: Getty
It’s now a chart regular at this time of year, reaching its highest position in 2021 when it made it to number 10.
Rea had suffered several health battles throughout his life – he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of just 33.
He faced nine serious operations after the diagnosis, spending a total of 32 weeks in hospital.
Discussing the shock prognosis with Saga, he told how it had been his “Mount Everest” to climb.
Chris explained: “The original illness hit me hard. I almost had a nervous breakdown with the shock of it. That was the Mount Everest to climb.
“When they said it was pancreatic cancer, I could not believe it. It seemed that if your DNA says you are going to have cancer, then you can.
“They did not think I would recover from the first operation, but I was determined to do so for my wife and the girls.”
While appearing on the Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Christmas special in 1994, Rea explained he had “never really got over” his diagnosis.
He had previously told how some of his internal organs, his pancreas, gallbladder and part of his liver were “all gone” after an operation.
It was after he had received the lifesaving surgery that the star discovered he had type 1 diabetes.
Speaking candidly about the moment he told his wife Joan Lesley about the diagnosis Rea said: “She pulled the car over and burst into tears.”
Chris has previously said he has to take “34 pills every day” after his health struggles.
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
