Chris Rea, the distinctive British blues-rock singer-songwriter best known for the perennial holiday favorite “Driving Home for Christmas,” has died at age 74. The news comes as the 1988 track experiences a surge in popularity following its inclusion in the recent Marks & Spencer Christmas advert [[1]]. Rea passed away Monday following a short illness, leaving behind a decades-long musical legacy and a devoted fanbase.
Emma SaundersCulture reporter
Getty ImagesChris Rea, the voice behind the beloved holiday song “Driving Home for Christmas,” has died at the age of 74. The news arrives as the track enjoys renewed popularity, appearing in the recent Marks & Spencer Christmas advert.
The singer passed away on Monday in hospital following a short illness, a spokesperson for his family confirmed.
A statement released on behalf of his wife and two children read: “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.”
Rea’s career spanned decades, delivering a string of hits including “Auberge,” “On the Beach,” “Fool (If You Think It’s Over),” “Let’s Dance,” and “Road to Hell.” His blues-infused sound resonated with audiences worldwide, establishing him as a distinctive voice in British music.
Tributes quickly poured in on social media. Middlesborough FC posted on X: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Chris Rea. A Teesside icon. Rest in peace, Chris.”
“Driving Home for Christmas,” released in 1988, has become a staple of the holiday season, capturing the relatable experience of a long journey home. The song’s enduring appeal was recently amplified by its inclusion in the M&S Food Christmas advert.
Getty ImagesIn 2020, a conversation between Rea and his friend, comedian Bob Mortimer, revealed the story behind the song’s creation.
Rea explained that he was unemployed at the time, his manager had recently left, and he was banned from driving. His then-girlfriend, Joan (whom he met at age 16 and later married), had to pick him up in London in her Mini Cooper and drive him home – an experience that inspired the lyrics. The song was written in 1978, but wasn’t released as a single until 1988.
When asked about the song’s success, Rea joked that it had afforded him “that lovely little holiday in the Maldives.” The track has since been covered by artists including Engelbert Humperdinck and Stacey Solomon.
Rea and Mortimer were close friends, and in 1997 they recorded “Let’s Dance” for Middlesbrough Football Club’s FA Cup Final.
On Monday evening, Mortimer posted on X: “So so sad. A lovely brilliant funny giant of a bloke. Oh Man… RIP Chris… Boro legend forever. Love to family and friends.”
In a 2023 interview with Saga magazine, Rea reflected on his career and fame, stating: “I’ve always had a difficult relationship with fame, even before my first illness. None of my heroes were rock stars.”
He continued, “I arrived in Hollywood for the Grammy Awards once and thought I was going to bump in to people who mattered, like Ry Cooder or Randy Newman. But I was surrounded by pop stars.” He added: “The celeb thing has gone totally wrong in the sense that everyone has tried to top each other. They don’t put the work in.”
Rea spoke fondly of his wife, Joan, whom he met at age 16 and later married. “Our golden moment is each morning when there is an elbow fight over whose turn it is to make the coffee. Then there are the large mugs of fresh coffee, BBC Breakfast news or Sky and we gaze out of the window over the countryside for an hour and we are still 16. We are lucky to still have that feeling.”
Born in 1951 in Middlesbrough to Italian and Irish parents, Rea was one of six children. He began his career helping with his family’s ice-cream business.
“To be Irish Italian in a coffee bar in Middlesbrough – I started my life as an outsider,” he once said.
Getty ImagesRea released his debut album, Whatever Happened To Benny Santini?, in 1978. His breakthrough came in the 1980s, with his albums The Road To Hell (1989) and Auberge (1991) both reaching number one in the UK.
He continued to create music throughout his life, returning to his blues roots even as he faced health challenges. After a stroke in 2016 and a previous battle with pancreatic cancer, he released the album Road Songs For Lovers in 2017.
Chris Rea is survived by his wife, Joan, and their two daughters, Josephine and Julia. His music and enduring spirit will be deeply missed.
