Chris Rea’s Last Social Media Message Comes to Light

Chris Rea’s final message shared on social media has led many to believe he may have sensed his time was coming to an end.

The singer passed away on 22 December following a brief illness.

Just one day earlier, he uploaded an image showing a car travelling along a snow covered motorway beside a roadside sign, accompanied by the words, "Driving home for Christmas with a thousand memories."

He continued with the line, "Top to toe in tailbacks. If it's a white Christmas, let's hope the journey's a smooth one."

The message was a clear nod to his much loved festive classic Driving Home for Christmas.

News of his passing was confirmed by his family in an official statement.

A spokesperson speaking on behalf of his wife and two daughters 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."

Chris had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 33, a battle that resulted in the removal of his pancreas and left him living with diabetes. He later suffered a stroke in 2016.

He is survived by his wife Joan, whom he was married to for 57 years, and their daughters Josephine and Julia.

In previous interviews, Chris had spoken openly about how the inspiration behind his famous Christmas song first came to him.

"I first wrote it back in the mid Eighties about the simple joy of getting back to the people you love, and that spirit fits perfectly with Christmas," he once said. "It's a wonderful thing to see Driving Home for Christmas still connecting with people all these years later."