The BBC delivered a heartfelt and emotional tribute to the late singer Chris Rea on Tuesday, leaving many viewers in tears just one day after news of his death broke.
A Touching On-Air Moment
During the broadcast of an episode of Animal Park presented by Ben Fogle and Kate Humble, the programme opened with the sound of Rea's iconic 1988 Christmas anthem, Driving Home For Christmas. The episode had been pre-recorded prior to the musician's passing.
Before the show aired, a continuity announcer for BBC One, Duncan Newmarch, directly addressed the loss. He stated, "First on BBC One, Chris Rea, is very much on our minds this morning." Newmarch later took to social media platform X to explain his decision to highlight the music, writing that upon discovering the episode's soundtrack, he "wanted to say something."
Fans' Emotional Response
The gesture resonated powerfully with the audience. Social media was quickly flooded with reactions from moved fans. One user responded to Newmarch, writing, "Oh that made me cry. Very touching." Another called it a "wonderful tribute," while a further comment praised the "clever, beautiful 11 seconds."
The news of Rea's death was confirmed by his family on Monday. In a statement, they said the British singer passed away peacefully in hospital following a short illness, surrounded by his family. He was 74 years old.
A Legacy of Music and Resilience
Chris Rea was the artist behind one of the nation's most beloved modern Christmas songs. Driving Home For Christmas peaked at number 10 in the UK charts and has been certified triple platinum, selling over 1.8 million copies in the UK since its release.
Remarkably, just hours before his death was announced, Rea himself posted on social media. He shared an image of a car in snowy traffic with a caption referencing his hit song's lyrics, adding hashtags like #DrivingHomeForChristmas and festive emojis.
The singer had faced significant health challenges in recent years, battling conditions including pancreatic cancer, peritonitis, and diabetes. He once revealed undergoing nine major operations in ten years due to a rare condition called retroperitoneal fibrosis.
Following the announcement, tributes poured in from devastated fans, with many highlighting his talent, his status as a "proper Teesside legend," and his kind nature. The BBC's simple, sincere tribute proved a fitting acknowledgement of an artist whose music has become a soundtrack to the festive season for millions.
