UPDATE: Legendary singer Chris Rea has passed away at the age of 74, marking a devastating moment for his family who are grappling with profound grief after losing three siblings in just three months. This heartbreaking news comes shortly after Camille Whitaker, Rea’s elder sister, revealed that their youngest brother, Nicholas Rea, died from brain cancer in October at just 66 years old.
The family has been rocked by tragedy, as just days after Nicholas’s funeral, another sister, Geraldine Milward, unexpectedly passed away. Camille expressed the family’s anguish, stating, “It is an awful pain. It is gut-wrenching what happened. The family has been quite shocked by it. It is tragic. We can’t sort of get around it.”
Chris Rea, best known for his iconic holiday hit Driving Home For Christmas, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2001 and underwent a pancreas removal. He suffered a stroke in 2016, yet remained a beloved figure in music, celebrated for hits like The Road to Hell and Fool (If You Think It’s Over).
Despite his health battles, Rea recently experienced the joy of becoming a grandfather for the first time. Camille noted his close bond with family, living in Buckinghamshire with his wife and two daughters, one of whom inspired his music. “He was very, very pleased” to welcome his grandson, she shared.
Chris’s musical journey began in the late 1970s, but his holiday classic, Driving Home For Christmas, was not an immediate hit, peaking at number 53 upon its initial release in 1988. It has since gained immense popularity, re-entering the UK Singles Chart annually since 2007.
In an emotional reflection, Camille revealed that she spoke to Chris just six days before his passing, describing him as “a very shy and quiet man.” The siblings grew up in a modest household in Middlesbrough, where their father worked in an ice cream factory after immigrating from Italy.
With Chris Rea’s legacy now marked by immense loss, fans and family alike are left to mourn not just a talented musician, but a devoted family man. As the family navigates these painful times, they ask for privacy and support from the community.
Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to follow this developing story.
