Overview
- A family spokesperson said he died peacefully in hospital after a short illness, surrounded by his wife Joan and daughters Josephine and Julia.
- Across five decades he released 25 studio albums and sold tens of millions of records, with 'Driving Home for Christmas' returning to UK charts annually and featuring in this year's M&S advert.
- He faced serious health challenges over many years, including major surgery after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis and a 2016 stroke, which curtailed later performances.
- Tributes flowed from fans and institutions, with Middlesbrough FC calling him a "Teesside icon" and local leaders praising his enduring legacy.
- Hours before his death he posted a snowy motoring image echoing his festive hit, as family members later spoke of compounded grief following the recent deaths of two of his siblings.