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Chris ReaThe singer and songwriter best known for the hit “Driving Home for Christmas” has died at the age of 74, his family said Monday.
According to a statement from his family, Ri died in hospital after a short illness Britain‘S press association News agency.
Rea rose to fame in Britain in the 1980s with hits such as “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” and “Let’s Dance”.
Two Their studio albums, “The Road to Hell” in 1989 and “Auberge” in 1991, went to number one in the country.
“Driving Home for Christmas” was not an overnight hit when it was first released in 1986, but this gentle track proved an enduring success over the decades and remains one of the UK’s best-loved festive songs. It was featured in a TV advertisement for retailer Marks & Spencer this year.
The composer was born in 1951 in Middlesbrough, north-east England, to an Italian father irish Mother. After leaving school he took various jobs and helped in his family’s ice cream business.
He was a late bloomer, picking up guitar at age 21 and playing in bands before going solo.
He suffered from health problems including pancreatic cancer and suffered a stroke in 2016. In recent years he moved away from pop and released several bluesy records.
Ri is survived by his wife and two daughters.