ROCK singer Chris Rea’s father has died peacefully after a long illness.

Camillo Rea, 88, was famous in his own right on Teesside for the ice cream empire he helped to build up.

His family business, Rea’s Creamy Ices, employed more than 200 people at its height in the Seventies and had 21 bars across Teesside.

Chris worked for his father’s business after he left school, before finding fame as a singer and guitarist in his early 20s. Rea’s ice cream was so popular, Chris publicised his debut single, So Much Love, by being pictured with a “Stop Me and Buy One” bike.

Mr Rea and his late brother, Gaetano, took over the family business in 1946 after their father, also called Camillo, was killed when a ship taking him to Canada was torpedoed in the Atlantic.

Mr Rea leaves a widow, Gabriela, and seven children.

A requiem mass will take place at the Holy Name of Mary RC Church, The Avenue, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, at 1pm on Monday, before a cremation service.