London, UK - British singer Chris Rea, whose songs include the festive hit Driving Home For Christmas, passed away at the age of 74, a spokesperson for his family said on Monday.

The Middlesbrough-born musician was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had his pancreas removed in 2001, and in 2016 he suffered a stroke.

Rea found fame in the late 70s and 80s with hits such as Fool (If You Think It’s Over), Let's Dance, and The Road To Hell.

"It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Chris.

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"He passed away peacefully in hospital earlier today following a short illness, surrounded by his family."

Rea’s debut album titled Whatever Happened To Benny Santini?, a reference to the stage name his record label wanted him to adopt, was released in 1978.

The track Fool (If You Think It’s Over) went on to be nominated for a Grammy.

He did not find such success again for a few years but by the time his eighth album On The Beach, spawning a hit single of the same name, was released, he became well-known in UK and around Europe.

With 1988's Driving Home For Christmas and Road To Hell, released a year later, he became one of the biggest solo stars in the UK and helped him break through in the US charts.