Chris Rea, the singer and songwriter best known for the hit “Driving Home for Christmas,” has died at 74, his family said Monday. Rea died in the hospital following a short illness, according to a statement from his family to Britain's Press Association news agency.

Chris Rea, the musician behind the festive classic Driving Home for Christmas, has died at the age of 74. The singer died on Monday in hospital following a short illness, a spokesperson for his family said.

British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, best known for the 1980s festive hit "Driving Home for Christmas", has died at the age of 74, his family announced on Monday.His 1986 track "Driving Home for Christmas" became synonymous with the festive season,

A statement from his wife and two children says he "passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family".

The British singer is best known for the hit singles "Driving Home for Christmas," "Road to Hell" and "Josephine" Rea suffered several health problems leading up to his death, including diabetes and cancer Chris Rea,

Chris Rea, the singer, songwriter and guitarist who has died aged 74, rose to fame in the 1980s as a purveyor of huskily melancholic pop ballads such as Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Driving Home for Christmas and his biggest hit,