- Chris Rea died in hospital on Monday 22 December 2025 after a short illness, his family said
- He was best known for Driving Home for Christmas and had major hits including Auberge, On the Beach, Fool If You Think It is Over, Lets Dance and Road to Hell
- Rea had serious health issues over the years including pancreatic cancer, which led to type 1 diabetes, and a stroke in 2016, but he continued recording and released The Christmas Album in October 2025
Chris Rea, the British singer songwriter best known for the festive staple Driving Home for Christmas, has died aged 74, his family has said.
A statement issued on behalf of his wife and two children said he died in hospital after a short illness and was surrounded by his family.
Rea built a career on blues influenced rock with a run of popular albums and singles that made him one of the most recognisable voices on British radio in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Two of his studio albums, The Road to Hell and Auberge, reached number one in the UK, while songs such as Fool If You Think It is Over and On the Beach became fixtures on playlists for decades.
Although he released a wide catalogue, it was Driving Home for Christmas that became his defining seasonal hit, returning to prominence year after year as travel builds towards the holiday period.
The song’s enduring popularity turned it into a soundtrack for late December commutes and family reunions, often resurfacing in adverts, television and Christmas playlists.
Rea was born in Middlesbrough in 1951 and remained closely associated with Teesside throughout his life.
Tributes in recent days have highlighted his local pride and the way his music captured everyday stories with humour and grit.
He also lived with significant health challenges for many years.
Reports note a history of serious illness, including pancreatic cancer and a stroke, yet he continued to record and perform when he was able, returning repeatedly to the blues style that shaped his early influences.
