Chris Rea has died just days before Christmas. The musician, famed for his festive hit Driving Home For Christmas, died earlier today following a short illness.
A statement from his family to the Press Association said: “Singer/songwriter and guitarist, Chris Rea, passed away earlier today in hospital following a short illness. A statement on behalf of his wife and two children was released to the media this afternoon.
The musician had secretly battled a short illness (
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Chris had been in hospital when he died (
Redferns)
A highway sign read: “Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories.” Speaking on Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing, Chris said of his huge single five years ago: “I just thought I’d drive home for Christmas, I was on the dole when I wrote that.
“I’d just been, my manager had just left me, I’d been banned from driving, my now wife Joan, she had to drive down to London, pick me up in the Mini and take me home. And that’s when I wrote it.” Reflecting on how he felt when he heard the iconic song, he explained: “I think of that lovely little holiday in the Maldives. I’m not a very good pop star I wish I was. I’d like to me, when I look at Sting and people like that, I think ‘I wish I was like him.'” He added that he “loved Christmas” and always went all out with a big tree and a “fine assortment” of wines for Christmas.
Reflecting on his health struggles, the Middlesbrough-born singer said: “1994, most incredibly successful year, Bing! Abcess on the colon, colostomy bag. They took away the pancreas, the duodenum, the gall bladder and the left quadrant of the liver. All gone. That too me, well, I have never really got over it. Type 1 Diabetic, I have to take 34 pills every day, and then, after all of that, my kidneys’ gone.” He joked that he had a “very good heart”.
In the past, Chris had suffered a series of health battles (
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Chris previously explained he was ‘on the dole’ when he wrote his huge Christmas hit (
Alamy Stock Photo)
He explained that after having his pancreas removed, he was informed he didn’t have Grade 3 cancer, and his wife, Joan, burst into tears hearing the news. “She got all the money, all the rights to the songs, she won’t give me them back,” he laughed.
Chris, born in Middlesbrough, was previously diagnosed with pancreatic cancer before having his pancreas removed in 2001. In 2016, he also suffered from a stroke.
The singer found fame in the Seventies and Eighties with his songs, including Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let’s Dance, and the Road To Hell. His debut album, Whatever Happened To Benny Santini? (1978) referenced the stage name which his record label had hoped he would adopt. His track, Fool (If You Think It’s Over), saw Chris nominated for a Grammy Award. However, his career started to slow down shortly after.
But his eighth studio album, On The Beach, spawned a hit of the same name and saw Chris’ fame across the UK and Europe reach new heights. He later became one of the UK’s biggest solo musicians. But in 1986, he once again found a new level of fame thanks to Driving Home For Christmas.
Tributes have since flooded social media from heartbroken fans, with one writing: “Gutted we have lost another British Great. Chris Rea passes away. This Guy had Stunning songs for Winter and Summer, Driving Home for Christmas and On the Beach.”
“The saddest news Chris Rea has passed away. Can #2025 get any worse,” said a second. Meanwhile, a third went on to write: “RIP Chris Rea. Your song is my favourite Christmas song.”
