In his final TV appearance, singer Chris Rea revealed that he was suspended from driving while on the dole and that he had written the hit song Driving Home For Christmas.
Chris Rea shared the heartbreaking truth behind his Christmas hit in his final TV appearance. The legendary musician, best known for Driving Home For Christmas, died today aged 74. A statement from his family confirmed that the Middlesbrough-born musician had been receiving hospital treatment after battling a short illness.
But while Chris was known for his huge festive track, he previously opened up about his struggles, which had seen him left with just £200. Speaking on Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing, Chris said of his huge single five years ago: “I just thought I’d drive home for Christmas, I was on the dole when I wrote that.
My now wife Joan had to drive down to London, pick me up in the Mini, and drive me home after I had just left. And that’s when I wrote it.
When he described the iconic song as a “beautiful little holiday in the Maldives,” he expressed how he felt when he heard it. I wish I could be a better pop star because I’m not very good. When I look at Sting and other people like that, I think, “I wish I was like him.” He continued, “He continued, “He always went all out with a big tree and a fine assortment” of wines for Christmas.”
Chris also made an eloquent comment about his health issues. Before having his pancreas removed in 2001, he was previously diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He also experienced a stroke in 2016. He stated, “In 1994, the most incredibly successful year, Bing! Colostomy bag and an abcess on the colon.
“They removed the liver’s left quadrant, duodenum, gall bladder, and pancreas.” All gone . I guess that’s just me, but I’ve never really recovered from it. I have to take 34 pills each day as a type 1 diabetic, and then my kidneys go. He joked that his heart was “very good.”
Chris Rea, a singer/songwriter and guitarist, passed away earlier today in a hospital after a brief illness, according to his family’s statement to the Press Association. This afternoon, the media received a statement from his wife and two children.
We are sad to announce the passing of our dear Chris. He was surrounded by his family and passed away peacefully in a hospital earlier today after a brief illness.
The musician nodded to his Christmas song on social media just hours before Chris’ death was revealed. As motorists made their way home from the holiday season, the image showed a snowy motorway. Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories was written on a highway sign.
With his chart-topping songs, including Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let’s Dance, and the Road To Hell, Chris achieved stardom in the 1970s and 1980s. What Happened To Benny Santini, his debut album? The stage name that his record company had hoped he would use was mentioned by (1978).
Chris was nominated for a Grammy Award for his song Fool (If You Think It’s Over). Not long after, however, his career started to lose momentum.
His eighth studio album, On the Beach, was the inspiration for a song with the same name that won Chris’ not-for-profit recognition in the UK and Europe. He later became one of the UK’s most successful solo artists.
However, thanks to Driving Home For Christmas, he once more rose to new heights of fame in 1986.
If you have been affected by this story, Cruse Bereavement Support offers free help to make sense of how you are feeling. Click here for their website or call 0808 808 1677.
Source: Mirror
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