XMAS HEARTBREAK 

Triple tragedy for Chris Rea’s family as Driving Home for Christmas star is 3rd of his siblings to die in just 3 months

The singer-songwriter battled a number of health issues throughout his life

Amazing gift Chris Rea gave to wife of 57 years Joan when Driving Home for Christmas singer discovered he had cancer

CHRIS Rea became the third of his siblings to die in just three months – sending his heartbroken family “into shock”.

Devastated relatives of the Driving Home for Christmas singer revealed he had welcomed his first grandchild shortly before his “tragic” death.

Chris Rea, an English singer-songwriter, sits in a park.
Chris Rea was the third of his siblings to die in just three months, his family saidCredit: Getty

Musician Chris Rea clapping with a guitar strap over his shoulder.
The Driving Home for Christmas singer also welcomed a grandchild shortly before his deathCredit: EPA

Chris Rea and his family at the launch party for Michael Winner's new book 'Winner's Dinners'.
Camille, who says she last spoke to Chris less than a week ago, said his family are ‘wrecked’ by his passingCredit: Alamy
Chris died in hospital following a short illness, a spokesperson for his family said on Monday.

In a statement on behalf of his wife and two children, they 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.”

The singer songwriter’s death – just three days before Christmas – becomes the latest heartbreak for his family.

His older sister, Camille Whitaker, revealed two of Chris’ siblings had also sadly passed away just months ago.

She told how her youngest sibling, Nicholas, died in hospital aged 66 in October after battling brain cancer.

Just days after his funeral, Camille’s twin sister Geraldine Milward died suddenly – sending the family into shock.

She told the Daily Mail: “It is an awful pain. It is gut-wrenching what happened. The family has been quite shocked by it.

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“It is tragic. We can’t sort of get around it.”

Camille, who says she last spoke to Chris less than a week ago, admitted his family are “wrecked” by his passing.

The iconic hit writer lived with his wife and family at home in Buckingham and remained “very close” with his family.

Camille also told how Chris was “very pleased” when he became a grandfather for the first time this year.

His most famous song Driving Home for Christmas, has made a reappearance on the UK Singles Chart every year since 2007.

It’s now a chart regular at this time of year, reaching its highest position in 2021 when it made it to number 10.

His wife Joan was there when the hitmaker wrote the festive favourite.

The pair had been together since they met as 16-year-olds in Middlesbrough.

And it was often joked Rea had the longest surviving relationship in the music industry.

The couple shared two daughters together Josephine, born September 16, 1983, and Julia Christina, born March 18, 1989.

Prior to his death, the singer-songwriter battled a number of health issues after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over 40 years ago.

Chris reportedly went under the knife for serious ops nine times, spending over half a year in hospital following his cancer diagnosis at the age of 33.

Discussing the shock prognosis with Saga, he told how it had been his “Mount Everest” to climb.

Chris explained: “The original illness hit me hard. I almost had a nervous breakdown with the shock of it. That was the Mount Everest to climb.

“When they said it was pancreatic cancer, I could not believe it. It seemed that if your DNA says you are going to have cancer, then you can.

“They did not think I would recover from the first operation, but I was determined to do so for my wife and the girls.”

British singer Chris Rea performing during a concert.
Chris Rea during a concert at the Royal Theatre Carre in Amsterdam in November 2014Credit: EPA

Chris Rea, English singer-songwriter, smiles in a black tank top and necklace against a fuchsia background.
Chris met his wife Joan when they were both 16-year-olds in MiddlesboroughCredit: Getty

Artist Chris Rea performs onstage.
The singer reportedly went under the knife for serious ops nine timesCredit: Reuters
Opening up on his life-saving operation, he explained his internal organs, including his pancreas, gallbladder and part of the liver were “all gone”.

Appearing on the Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Christmas special in 2020, Rea told the hosts he had “never really got over” the diagnosis.

The festive-themed episode was Chris’ last TV appearance.

He guest starred on the show for a special Christmas episode where he talked about his battle with serious health issues throughout his life.

The hour-long special saw Bob Mortimer return to his childhood roots in Middlesbrough where Chris was born in 1951.

Chris’ wife, Joan, “pulled the car over and burst into tears” after he informed her he no longer had cancer, he revealed.

But, after receiving the all clear, Chris was later diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

He shocking revealed that, at one point, he was taking up to “34 pills a day”.

Things did not get easier for the legendary songwriter, who went on to suffer a stroke in 2016.

Following the shocking episode, Chris decided he would give up cigarettes to prioritise his health.

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But, just a year later, Chris collapsed on stage in the middle of a song in front of horrified fans.

He was reportedly on stage in Oxford when he suddenly fell to the floor and started shaking.

Chris Rea
The iconic hit-writer died earlier on Monday in hospital, his family confirmedCredit: Getty