Chris Rea, singer of Driving Home for Christmas, dies, aged 74

British singer dies following a short illness

Singer Chris Rea, known for hits including festive favourite Driving Home for Christmas, has died aged 74, a spokesperson for his family said.

"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 found fame in the seventies and eighties with songs such as Fool (If You Think It's Over), and Let's Dance.

He scored his first number one album in 1989 with The Road to Hell, and later his album Auberge released in 1991.

But he became synonymous with December with the festive hit Driving Home for Christmas, first released in 1986.

It has re-entered the UK Top 40 annually since 2007, reaching a high of No. 11 in 2018.

Rea was born in Middlesbrough, the UK in 1951 to an Italian father and Irish mother and was one of seven children.

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