Legendary British singer-songwriter Chris Rea’s final Christmas album was launched simply weeks earlier than the “Driving House for Christmas” star died on the age of 74 on Monday, December 22. Mr Rea wrote the Christmas basic in 1978, which has constantly re-entered the charts over time, reaching the UK High 10 in 2022.
In a short assertion on behalf of his spouse and two youngsters, a spokesperson mentioned: “It’s with immense disappointment that we announce the demise of our beloved Chris. “He handed away peacefully in hospital earlier at present following a brief sickness, surrounded by his household.” Mr Rea’s final Christmas album, launched on November 28, 2025, is titled “The Christmas Album”. It options eight festive songs from his profession, together with the unique 1986 model of “Driving House for Christmas”.
The 1986 basic sits alongside newer tracks, together with a remastered model, “Footsteps within the Snow,” “Winter Track” and “Joys of Christmas,” turning into his first devoted Christmas report earlier than his passing.
The inspiration behind “Driving House for Christmas” was the truth that he had been banned from driving, together with his spouse, Joan, having to choose him up.
He advised comic Bob Mortimer: “I used to be on the dole once I wrote that. My supervisor had simply left me. I’d simply been banned from driving.
“My now spouse, Joan, needed to drive right down to London to choose me up within the Mini and take me dwelling, and that’s once I wrote it.”
He additionally claimed to have been right down to his final £200 when he wrote the favored Christmas tune.
Mr Rea’s final TV look was on the BBC’s Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing in 2020. He appeared as a visitor star on the present’s Christmas episode, throughout which he mentioned his well being battles over time. The musician had his pancreas eliminated after he was recognized with pancreatic most cancers in 2001 and suffered a stroke in 2016. He confronted 9 severe operations after the prognosis and spent a complete of 32 weeks in hospital. He was additionally recognized with Kind 1 diabetes.
Through the episode, Mr Rea mentioned he “by no means actually acquired over” his prognosis, having beforehand revealed that he was having to take “34 tablets daily”.
He’s survived by his spouse and two daughters.
