Chris Rea, the singer famous for "Driving Home For Christmas," passed away on Monday at the age of 74 after a brief illness. His final social media post, shared on Sunday, featured a snowy motorway scene with the caption, "Top to toe in tailbacks If it’s a white Christmas, let’s hope the journey’s a smooth one." His wife, Joan, and daughters Josie and Julia confirmed his peaceful passing in a statement, noting he was surrounded by family.
Rea battled significant health issues throughout his life, including peritonitis, diabetes, and kidney problems. Notably, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 33, requiring the removal of part of his pancreas, gallbladder, and liver. He also suffered a stroke in 2016. Despite these challenges, he continued to release music, with albums like "Road Songs For Lovers" (2017) and "One Fine Day" (2019). He previously described experiencing nine major operations in a decade due to a condition called retroperitoneal fibrosis.
His iconic Christmas song, "Driving Home for Christmas," first released in 1986, has re-entered the UK Singles Chart annually since 2007. Rea initially resisted releasing the song, but his record company insisted. Tributes poured in from fans and the public, remembering his music, love for cars, and his resilience in the face of health struggles, with many noting the poignant timing of his death near the holiday season.