Chris Rea, the British musician forever linked to the festive classic , has died at the age of 74, his family confirmed on Tuesday.
The Middlesbrough-born singer passed away in hospital following a short illness, sparking an outpouring of tributes from fans around the world who grew up with his music as a constant companion on radios, road trips and Christmas playlists.
Despite global success, Rea never fully embraced pop stardom. He was famously uncomfortable with fame and even pushed back against his record label's decision to release , a song that would later become his defining hit after its 1986 release. Decades on, the track remains a seasonal staple and still ranked at number 30 in the UK Christmas Top 40 this year.
