Beloved Christmas hitmaker Chris Rea once made a deeply personal gesture for his wife Joan after receiving his devastating cancer diagnosis, signing over everything he owned to ensure her future was secure. The Driving Home for Christmas singer passed away peacefully in hospital on Monday, December 22, surrounded by his family.
In his final television appearance, aired during the BBC Christmas special Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, Rea spoke candidly about the moment he learned his cancer was not as advanced as feared. He recalled a nurse urging him to call his wife immediately. When Joan answered, she had to pull her car over, overcome with emotion, and began to cry.
Reflecting on that moment with characteristic humour, the Middlesbrough-born musician explained that he transferred all of his money and the rights to his music to Joan. Laughing, he added that she later refused to hand them back.
Those rights included Driving Home for Christmas, one of the most enduring festive songs in British music history. Written and composed by Rea and released in 1986, the track has returned to the UK Singles Chart almost every Christmas for nearly 20 years. According to reports, the song earns around £200,000 annually and has generated an estimated £7 million since its release. In 2021, it climbed to number 10 on the charts and continues to rank among the UK’s most loved Christmas classics.
Rea’s final social media post subtly referenced the iconic song that defined his holiday legacy. Over the years, Driving Home for Christmas has been covered by artists including Stacey Solomon and Engelbert Humperdinck. Joan herself is believed to have played a role in its creation — the idea was born during a long winter drive back to Middlesbrough in December 1978, after a recording session.
At the time, Rea was on benefits and serving a driving ban. With only £220 between them, Joan drove for six hours through the night, finally arriving home at 3am. Waiting on the doormat was a letter from a US performing rights organisation, informing Rea that his song Fool (If You Think It’s Over) had charted in America — along with a cheque for £15,000.
Announcing his passing, Rea’s family said:
“It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris. He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family.”
Tributes have poured in from fans and fellow musicians alike. Middlesbrough mayor Chris Cooke praised Rea’s lasting influence, saying the singer was fiercely proud of his hometown and that the town was equally proud to claim him.
“Millions of people around the world will listen to his music tonight,” Cooke said. “His songs helped put Middlesbrough on the map, and he leaves behind an extraordinary legacy.”