Other hits included Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let’s Dance and On the Beach.
Singer Chris Rea, who is best known for the Christmas classic Driving Home for Christmas, has died at the age of 74, it has been confirmed.
The musician passed away on Monday (22nd December) in hospital following a short illness, his family said. He was surrounded by his family, including his wife and two children.
His family said in a statement: "Singer/songwriter and guitarist, Chris Rea passed away earlier today in hospital following a short illness. A statement on behalf of his wife and two children was released to the media this afternoon.
"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 singer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had his pancreas removed in 2001, and in 2016 he suffered a stroke.
Rea rose to fame in the late Seventies and Eighties with songs such as Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let’s Dance and On the Beach.
His famous hit Driving Home for Christmas, which was first released in 1986, has made a reappearance on the UK Singles Chart every year since 2007, and reached number 10 in 2021.
More to follow...
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
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