Star referenced famous festive hit in final post

DRIVING Home For Christmas singer Chris Rea was last night labelled an icon following his death at the age of 74.

- BY NADEEM BADSHAH

A statement from his wife Joan and daughters Josephine and Julia 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.”

It came just days after Chris shared his final Instagram post featuring a car on a snowy motorway with a road sign reading: “Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories.”

The Middlesbrough-born star captioned the picture: “Top to toe in tailbacks. If it’s a white Christmas, let's hope the journey’s a smooth one.”