Emily Brown
Chris Rea, singer of the much-loved Christmas song 'Driving Home for Christmas', has died aged 74.
News of Rea's death has been confirmed by his family today (December 22).
According to a spokesperson for the family, per BBC News, the 74-year-old passed away after experiencing a 'short illness'.
The spokesperson 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."
The passing of the legendary singer comes after his beloved track returned to the official Big Top 40 charts in the week before Christmas, decades after it was first released in 1986 and told the story of a weary traveler on his way back home for the festive season.
The song went on to become a staple of many people's festive playlists, and is regularly played on UK radio in the run-up to Christmas, as well as featuring in ads around the holiday.
Away from his Christmas hit, Rea created a total of 25 studio albums throughout his lengthy career, which he began after growing up in Middlesbrough, UK, to an Italian father and Irish mother.
He originally joined a band named Magdalene before going on to become a member of a group called the Beautiful Losers.
In 1974, he went out on his own and released his debut single, 'So Much Love', and he saw huge success just four years later when his track 'Fool (If You Think It’s Over)' earned him a Grammy nomination in the best new artist category.
Tributes have started flooding in for Rea in the wake of his death, with one fan writing: "Top man, Chris Rea. Hugely underrated songwriter. Rest well, Chris."
Another tribute shared on X (formerly Twitter) reads: "So sad to see that Middlesbrough's Chris Rea has died, aged 74. Brilliant musician and songwriter. I had the pleasure of interviewing him, and seeing him in concert a few times.
"He was as lovely and down to earth to talk to as you'd imagine. RIP."
Prior to his passing, Rea had suffered a number of health issues in his life, including being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and having his pancreas removed in 2001.
In 2016, he suffered a stroke, which he described as a 'very scary moment'.
Rea is survived by his wife, Joan, and their daughters, Josephine and Julia.