Singer Chris Rea, whose songs include the festive hit Driving Home For Christmas, has died at the age of 74, a spokesperson for his family said. The Middlesbrough-born musician was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had his pancreas removed in 2001, and in 2016 he suffered a stroke. A statement from his family to the Press Association said: “Singer/songwriter and guitarist, Chris Rea passed away earlier today in hospital following a short illness. Two of his studio albums – The Road To Hell (1989) and Auberge (1991) – went to number one in the UK. His famous song Driving Home For Christmas features in this year’s M&S Food Christmas advert.

Source: Irish Independent December 22, 2025 21:23 UTC