Chris Rea, known for Christmas hit, dead at 74
Chris Rea is known for his hit Homecoming for ChristmasHe died at the age of 74.
In a statement issued on behalf of his wife and two children, a spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris.
“He passed away peacefully in hospital surrounded by his family earlier today after a short illness.”
Chris Rea performing at his first German concert for the “Return of the Great Bluenotes” tour in Munich in 2008. Credit: access point
Rea was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when he was 33 and faced nine surgeries as he battled the disease.
in 2017 collapsed on stage At the New Theatre, Oxford, mid-song. He had suffered a stroke a year earlier but continued his live tour. Road Songs for Lovers.
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The singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough penned the Christmas hit in 1978. It was released as a single ten years later and has charted every year during the festival period since 2007.
The song comes in at number 13 on this year’s UK Christmas chart and also features in this year’s Christmas advert for retailer Marks & Spencer Food, which stars comedian Dawn French.
Rea rose to fame in the late 1970s and ’80s with hits such as: Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let’s Dance And Road to Hell.
