Chris Rea, the British singer-songwriter best known for Driving Home For Christmas and The Road To Hell, has died aged 74. He passed away peacefully in hospital on 22 December, surrounded by his family, following a short illness.
“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 Middlesbrough-born musician found fame in the late 1970s and 1980s with hits including Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let’s Dance, On The Beach, Auberge, and The Road To Hell. Known for his gravelly voice and slide guitar, he sold millions of records and left a lasting mark on British music.
His festive classic Driving Home For Christmas, written in 1978 and released a decade later, has become a seasonal staple. Inspired by a winter journey home in a Mini with his then-girlfriend Joan, the track has appeared in adverts and been covered by artists from Engelbert Humperdinck to Stacey Solomon.
Despite health struggles, including pancreatic cancer and a stroke, Rea continued recording, returning to his blues roots in later years. His final release, The Christmas Album, came out in October 2025, featuring a remastered version of Driving Home For Christmas.
Friends and collaborators paid tribute online. Bob Mortimer described him as “a lovely, brilliant, funny giant of a bloke,” while journalist Tony Parsons called him a “hugely underrated songwriter.”
Chris Rea is survived by his wife Joan and their daughters Josephine and Julia. His music and legacy remain a fixture of British culture, just in time for the festive season he so memorably captured.
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