The music world is mourning the loss of legendary singer-songwriter Chris Rea, who passed away just days before Christmas. The artist, best known for his timeless festive hit 'Driving Home For Christmas', died at the age of 74 on December 22 following a short illness, his heartbroken family confirmed.
A Devastating Sequence of Loss
In a cruel twist of fate, Rea's death was the third tragic loss to strike his immediate family in just three months. His younger brother, Nicholas Rea, died in hospital in October at the age of 66 after being diagnosed with brain cancer. Nicholas was the youngest of seven siblings.
Tragedy struck again shortly after Nicholas's funeral, when the family's sister, Geraldine, died suddenly. Geraldine was the twin sister of Chris's older sister, Camille Whitaker. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Camille described the cumulative grief as "an awful pain" and "gut-wrenching", adding that the entire family had been deeply shocked by the rapid succession of events.
Joy Amidst the Heartache
Despite the profound sadness of his final months, Chris Rea also experienced a moment of pure family joy. He recently became a grandfather for the first time following the birth of a baby boy to his second daughter, Julia. His eldest daughter is named Josephine.
Camille Whitaker revealed that Chris, who always remained very close to his family, was "very, very pleased" with the new arrival. She noted that Josephine had inspired one of his songs, and that it was Julia who had married and had the baby. This happy news provided a bittersweet counterpoint to the singer's declining health, which his sister described as having been "terrible, terrible" and that he had been "unwell for some time".
A Peaceful Farewell and Lasting Legacy
The official announcement of Rea's death was made by his family via the Press Association. Their statement read: "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."
In a poignant final post on his Instagram account, shared just hours before his death, an image of a snowy motorway was published with the caption: "Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories." The post served as a fitting, if unintentional, tribute to the song that defined his career for millions.
Reflecting on the creation of that iconic track in a past interview, Rea had shared its humble origins. He wrote 'Driving Home For Christmas' while on the dole, after his manager had left him and he had been banned from driving. His then-girlfriend and future wife, Joan, had to drive to London to pick him up in a Mini, and the song was born on that journey home.
Chris Rea's legacy is cemented by this perennial anthem, a song that has soundtracked countless holiday journeys. While his family faces a Christmas shadowed by immense loss, they also cherish the memory of a man who, as his sister confirmed, loved the festive season and always celebrated it with a big tree and a fine selection of wines.
