Revealed: Chris Rea’s touching final social media post just hours before his death as fans pay tribute

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A heartfelt final social media post from Chris Rea, the singer of ‘Driving Home for Christmas,’ was published shortly before he passed away.

The singer died on Monday at 74, following a brief illness. Just hours before, he shared a final Instagram post showing a car on a snowy highway, alongside a road sign that read: ‘Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories’.

He shared a post on Sunday with the caption: ‘Stuck in traffic from head to toe! If we get a white Christmas, let’s hope everyone has a safe and easy trip.’

Every year since 2007, the popular song ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ has returned to the UK music charts, even reaching number 10 in 2021.

Chris’s family – his wife, Joan, and daughters, Josie and Julia – announced his passing on Monday with deep sorrow.

He died peacefully in the hospital today after a brief illness, with his family by his side.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve often seen how health challenges can impact a life, and Chris’s story is a powerful example. Originally from Middlesbrough, he and his wife Joan shared a long life together, starting when they met as teenagers. Sadly, Chris faced a series of serious health battles, including peritonitis, pancreatic cancer, and diabetes. By 2017, his diabetes had progressed to the point where he needed seven insulin injections every day. It really highlights the importance of proactive health management and cherishing every moment.

Following the news, fans quickly shared heartfelt tributes on Twitter, fondly remembering his music, passion for cars, and noting the sad timing so near Christmas.

Fans expressed their deep sadness upon hearing the news, calling Chris Rea a true Teesside icon. They wished him a safe journey and fondly remembered his passion for cars, incredible guitar skills, and numerous fantastic albums. Many simply expressed shock and disbelief at the loss.

We’re deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Chris Rea. He was a truly gifted musician and, by all accounts, a kind and lovely person. It’s especially poignant as I recently featured him in a newsletter on my website. He was well-loved in Ireland and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace. (Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam…)

We’re deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Chris Rea, the celebrated rock and blues musician and passionate car enthusiast, at the age of 74. He’s pictured here with his cherished Caterham 7, affectionately known as ‘Blue 7’, at the Reims race circuit in 1991 (photo by Martyn Goddard).

I quickly put on Chris Rea – it just felt right. He’ll always remind me of Christmas here, especially ‘Driving Home for Christmas’. I don’t think he’d have appreciated a Paddington meme, but I’m in a cheerful, festive mood anyway.

Chris faced a serious health crisis when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at just 33 years old.

Oh my gosh, even after everything – they took out part of his pancreas, his gallbladder, and part of his liver! – he still pulled through! It wasn’t easy, he had to live with diabetes and his kidneys weren’t great either, but he lived. It’s just… incredible. He fought so hard, and I just admire his strength so much.

Despite suffering a stroke in 2016, he made a full recovery and continued creating music, releasing the albums Road Songs For Lovers in 2017 and One Fine Day in 2019.

Chris shared that he’s undergone nine significant surgeries in the last decade. These are largely related to a condition called retroperitoneal fibrosis, where the body’s tissues mistakenly attack each other. It’s a rare and newly understood disease – it wasn’t even known about 20 years ago, and its progression is hard to predict.

‘It’s affected the colon, the pancreas, the gall bladder, the liver – and then I get a stroke.’

He acknowledged his achievements and how they affected his well-being, explaining that while he became quite wealthy, it’s easy to become consumed by the pursuit of more, to the point of it becoming harmful.

Who you spend your time with really shapes your perspective. I once told Michael Winner that I felt like the poorest person on the beach in Barbados. But on days like today, the person with the least pain – specifically, a good shoulder – is the luckiest person in the world.

Chris once explained the story behind his famous song, telling Bob Mortimer that he wrote ‘Driving Home For Christmas’ while going through a tough time. He was unemployed, had lost his manager, and wasn’t allowed to drive at the time.

I wrote it on the drive home. My wife, Joan, had to come to London to get me in our Mini and then drive us both back.

Chris grew up in Middlesbrough and began his musical journey in his twenties. He taught himself to play guitar and played with various local bands before eventually signing a solo recording contract with Magnet Records.

In 1978, he debuted with the album Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? and quickly gained recognition with the hit single “Fool (If You Think It’s Over).” This success led to a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist.

Despite continuing to make albums, the artist didn’t achieve major success in the UK until 1987 with ‘Dancing with Strangers.’ His 1989 album, ‘The Road to Hell,’ included a two-part title track that became one of his most well-known songs.

Chris Rea’s popular song “Driving Home For Christmas” first appeared as a B-side to his single “Hello Friend” in 1986. He later re-recorded it, and it was included on his 1988 album, “New Light Through Old Windows.”

The BBC reports that he had previously said he didn’t want to release the song, but his record label insisted he do so.

Honestly, it was torture! He absolutely hated the idea of a Christmas song coming out then – totally threw off his vision, he said. He fought tooth and nail to stop the record from being released, can you believe it? But thank goodness they ignored him and put it out anyway! It’s a masterpiece, and I can’t imagine life without it, even if he didn’t want it to happen!

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2025-12-22 19:49