Chris Rea, singer of Driving Home for Christmas and other hits, dies aged 74

Chris Rea, the singer famous for his holiday song “Driving Home for Christmas,” has passed away at the age of 74.

I was so incredibly saddened to hear that the musician passed away on Monday, December 22nd, after a brief illness. Apparently, he was in the hospital and thankfully had his wife and kids with him when he went. It’s just heartbreaking.

Chris Rea, the singer, songwriter, and guitarist, has died in hospital after a brief illness, his family announced today. The statement was released on behalf of his wife and children.

We are deeply saddened to share that Chris has passed away. He died peacefully in the hospital this morning after a brief illness, with his family by his side.

In 2001, the singer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent surgery to remove his pancreas. He later suffered a stroke in 2016.

Chris Rea became well-known in the late 1970s and 1980s with popular songs like “Fool (If You Think It’s Over),” “Let’s Dance,” and “On the Beach.”

Chris Rea’s popular song “Driving Home for Christmas,” originally released in 1986, has charted every year in the UK since 2007, peaking at number 10 in 2021.

More to follow…

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Molly MossTrends Writer

Molly Moss writes about the newest trends in television, movies, and other entertainment for TopMob. She has a Master’s degree in Journalism and has also contributed to major news outlets like The Guardian, The Times, and The Sun Online.

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2025-12-22 19:04