Chris Rea, Beloved British Singer Behind ‘Driving Home for Christmas,’ Dies at 74

Music World Mourns Loss of Iconic Singer-Songwriter

The music industry is in mourning following the death of Chris Rea, the British singer-songwriter best known for the hit “Driving Home for Christmas,” who has died at the age of 74, his family announced on Monday. He passed away peacefully in hospital following a short illness, surrounded by his family. The timing of his passing, just days before Christmas, adds poignancy to the loss of a musician whose festive anthem has become synonymous with the holiday season for millions across the United Kingdom and beyond.

A Career Spanning Four Decades

Christopher Anton Rea was born in 1951 in Middlesbrough, in northeast England, to an Italian father and Irish mother. He came late to the guitar, picking one up at 21, and played in bands before going solo. Rea found fame in the 1980s in Britain with hits such as “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” and “Let’s Dance”. Rea released over 25 studio albums, two of which – ‘The Road To Hell’ (1989) and ‘Auberge’ (1991) – topped the UK Albums Chart.

However, it was “Driving Home for Christmas,” which did not become an overnight hit when it was first released in 1986, but the gentle track proved to be an enduring success over the decades and remains one of the U.K.’s most-loved festive songs. The song featured in a Marks and Spencer’s TV advertisement this year, demonstrating its continued cultural relevance nearly four decades after its initial release.

Health Struggles and Lasting Legacy

The musician was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had his pancreas removed in 2001. He suffered a stroke in 2016. Despite these health challenges, Rea continued creating music, with Rea releasing a Christmas album earlier this year, which included “Driving Home For Christmas” and others.

The mayor of Middlesbrough, Chris Cooke, said the singer “leaves behind a brilliant legacy,” noting that “Chris Rea was deeply proud of his Middlesbrough roots and the people of our town were equally proud to call him one of their own”. Rea is survived by his wife Joan and their daughters Josephine and Julia. His music, particularly the timeless Christmas classic that bears the spirit of homecoming, will continue to soundtrack the festive journeys of families for generations to come.