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Comedian Bob Mortimer has paid tribute to his “lovely”, “brilliant” friend Chris Rea, after the “Driving Home for Christmas” singer’s death at the age of 74.

Rea’s death was announced on Monday (22 December), with a statement on behalf of his wife and two children that read: “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.”

Mortimer, 66, has now shared a touching tribute to the star, writing on X: “So so sad. A lovely brilliant funny giant of a bloke. Oh Man… RIP Chris… Boro legend forever. Love to family and friends.”

The pair, both from the North East, developed a firm friendship over the years and in 1997, they recorded a version of Rea’s “Let’s Dance” when Middlesbrough FC made it to the FA Cup final.

Mortimer later referenced his pal during an especially hilarious episode of Would I Lie to You?, which saw him claim he always cracks an egg into his own bath after being advised to do so by Rea.

The comedian brought further delight to fans when he posted a picture of Rea in a bath with an egg on social media, in reference to the tale, which plenty of fans have been re-sharing in the wake of the singer’s death.

The pair teamed up again in 2020 when Rea appeared in a Christmas episode of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.

Rea found fame in the late Seventies and Eighties with hits such as “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”, which was nominated for a Grammy, and “The Road To Hell”.

His festive single, “Driving Home For Christmas”, was first released in 1986. Speaking to The Independent just days before his death, Rea told the story behind the track.

“It has that hope and warmth to it, like all the classic Christmas songs,” he said. “That and the frustration of being stuck in the motorway traffic – that’s what people relate to.

“What’s funny is that I’d been banned from driving just before I wrote it, and we originally thought we’d give it to Van Morrison. It was a Fifties jazz thing, like he used to do. Then the record label put it out as a B-side of mine, and a DJ started playing it. And here we are today.”

Rea endured a number of health issues during his life. At the age of 33, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and eventually had his pancreas removed along with parts of his stomach and small intestine.

In 2016, he had a stroke, which he later described as a “very scary moment”, adding: “I got it into my head that my perception of pitch had gone with the stroke. And it took a lot of convincing from people saying there’s nothing wrong with what you’re playing.”

Rea is survived by his wife Joan and their daughters Josephine and Julia. Rea named hit songs after both of his daughters.