Chris Rea's tragic final TV appearance as Driving Home For Christmas star's death announced
Chris Rea shared the heartbreaking truth behind his Christmas hit in his final TV appearance. The legendary musician, best known for Driving Home For Christmas, died today aged 74. A statement from his family confirmed that the Middlesbrough-born musician had been receiving hospital treatment after battling a short illness.But while Chris was known for his huge festive track, he previously opened up about his struggles, which had seen him left with just £200. Speaking on Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing, Chris said of his huge single five years ago: "I just thought I'd drive home for Christmas, I was on the dole when I wrote that."I'd just been, my manager had just left me, I'd been banned from driving, my now wife Joan, she had to drive down to London, pick me up in the Mini and take me home. And that's when I wrote it."Reflecting on how he felt when he heard the iconic song, he explained: "I think of that lovely little holiday in the Maldives. I'm not a very good pop star I wish I was. I'd like to me, when I look at Sting and people like that, I think 'I wish I was like him.'" He added that he "loved Christmas" and always went all out with a big tree and a "fine assortment" of wines for Christmas.Chris also opened up about his health struggles over the years. He was previously diagnosed with pancreatic cancer before having his pancreas removed in 2001. In 2016, he also suffered from a stroke. Speaking to Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse, he explained: "1994, most incredibly successful year, Bing! Abcess on the colon, colostomy bag."They took away the pancreas, the duodenum, the gall bladder and the left quadrant of the liver. All gone. That too me, well, I have never really got over it. Type 1 Diabetic, I have to take 34 pills every day, and then, after all of that, my kidneys' gone." He joked that he had a "very good heart".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. A statement on behalf of his wife and two children was released to the media this afternoon."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."Just hours before Chris's death was announced, the musician shared a nod to his Christmas song on social media. The image showed a snowy motorway as motorists made their way home for the festive period. A highway sign read: "Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories."Chris shot to stardom in the Seventies and Eighties with his chart-topping tunes, including Fool (If You Think It's Over), Let's Dance, and the Road To Hell. His first album, Whatever Happened To Benny Santini? (1978) alluded to the stage name that his record label had hoped he would use.His song, Fool (If You Think It's Over), earned Chris a Grammy Award nomination. However, his career began to lose momentum not long after.His eighth studio album, On The Beach, gave birth to a hit of the same name and catapulted Chris' fame across the UK and Europe to unprecedented levels. He later emerged as one of the UK's most successful solo artists.But in 1986, he once again soared to new heights of fame thanks to Driving Home For Christmas.If you have been affected by this story, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free help to make sense of how you are feeling. Click here for their website or call 0808 808 1677.Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
