Overview
- His wife and two daughters confirmed on December 22 that he died in hospital surrounded by family following a short illness.
- Across five decades he released about 25 studio albums, with The Road to Hell (1989) and Auberge (1991) reaching No. 1 in the UK.
- “Driving Home for Christmas,” written in 1978 and first released in 1986, has become a seasonal staple, re-entering the UK charts and featuring in this year’s M&S campaign.
- Rea faced major health challenges, including pancreatic cancer and extensive surgery in the early 2000s, followed by a stroke in 2016, yet he continued to record and tour, releasing music as recently as 2019.
- Tributes poured in from fans and his hometown, with Middlesbrough FC calling him a “Teesside icon,” reflecting his broad cultural impact and loyal following.