Singer Chris Rea dies aged 74: What we know

Chris Rea, the Middlesbrough-born singer behind classics including Driving Home For Christmas, has died aged 74, his family has confirmed.

“He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family,” a statement from his wife and two children said.

Rea, who first rose to fame in the late 1970s and 1980s, is also remembered for hits such as Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let’s Dance, and The Road To Hell. His debut album, Whatever Happened to Benny Santini?, was released in 1978, with the single Fool (If You Think It’s Over) earning him a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

The singer became a household name in the UK with the release of The Road To Hell in 1989, followed by Auberge in 1991—both albums reaching number one in the UK charts. His festive favourite Driving Home For Christmas, first released in 1986, continues to be widely celebrated, appearing in this year’s M&S Christmas advert.

Born in 1951 to an Italian father and Irish mother, Rea grew up in Middlesbrough with six siblings. Reflecting on his upbringing, he once said: “To be Irish Italian in a coffee bar in Middlesbrough – I started my life as an outsider.” Before music became his career, he worked in labouring jobs, including in his father’s ice cream factory, and briefly considered journalism.

Rea began his music career in bands including Magdalene and the Beautiful Losers before going solo. His first single, So Much Love, came out in 1974, and his early success was in the US, where Fool (If You Think It’s Over) reached No. 12 on the charts.

Despite early struggles to maintain momentum, Rea found enduring success in Europe. The mid-to-late 1980s marked the peak of his commercial career, with six UK top 10 albums, including two No. 1s.

The singer faced significant health challenges later in life. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had his pancreas removed in 2001, suffered a stroke in 2016, and collapsed on stage during a performance in Oxford in 2017.

Chris Rea leaves behind a lasting musical legacy, remembered for his distinctive voice, evocative guitar work, and timeless songs that continue to resonate with fans around the world.