'Driving Home For Christmas' singer Chris Rea dies aged 74
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Frank Hoensch/Redferns
'Driving Home for Christmas' singer Chris Rea has died aged 74.
A spokesperson for his family said (as per the BBC): "It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris. He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today (22 December) following a short illness, surrounded by his family."
Despite 'Driving Home for Christmas' coming out decades ago in 1986, it's since cemented itself as one of the UK's most beloved festive tracks.
According to Rea's website, 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'.
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This year, the track reached number 30 in the Christmas charts and also features in the M&S Food Christmas advert.
Social media tributes have since flooded in for the Band Aid singer-songwriter and guitarist, with many noting that his passing occurred just three days before Christmas Day (25 December).
One X user penned: "Saddened to hear of the death of a childhood musician. A favourite of mine. Chris Rea."
A second chimed in: "Such sad news. I was singing his Christmas song in my head when the news broke. Bit of a shock. He was a true legend. Rip Chris Rea."
"Sad to hear Chris Rea has died. 'Driving Home for Christmas' will be a part of many people’s holidays for years to come," a third commented.
Another echoed: "Driving Home for Christmas is genuinely one of the most joyful and beautiful Christmas songs ever. Rest in Peace, Chris Rea!"
And a final X user added: "Just hearing about the talented Chris Rea. He has passed away. Sending thoughts to family and friends."
While he may be best known for the Christmas chart-topper, 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.
His other famous songs include 'On the Beach', 'Looking for the Summer', 'And You My Love', 'Fool', 'I Can Hear Your Heartbeat', and 'Tell Me There's a Heaven', selling a whopping 30 million albums.
Rea is survived by his wife, Joan, whom he began dating when the couple were both 17, and their daughters, Josephine and Julia, both of whom Rea named hit songs after.
The Middlesbrough-born icon, who had an Italian father and an Irish mother and had six siblings, was also a motor racing enthusiast who raced model cars by Ferrari and Lotus and participated in the 1993 British Touring Car Championship.