British internet users turned to Google in their millions throughout 2025, with a chart-topping singer and a legendary rock band's comeback dominating the search trends. The data reveals a fascinating snapshot of the nation's cultural obsessions over the past twelve months.
Musical Searches Strike a Chord
Singer-songwriter Cat Burns emerged as the most searched-for female musician in the UK for 2025. Her surge in online interest is attributed to two major events: the release of her acclaimed album How To Be Human and a memorable appearance on the hit BBC reality series Celebrity Traitors. Her stint on the show, where she notably poked fun at fellow contestant Paloma Faith's betrayal, captured significant public attention.
The top five most searched female musicians created a diverse list, featuring pop icon Lily Allen, classical-crossover star Charlotte Church, the aforementioned Paloma Faith, and rock legend Alanis Morissette. On the male side, the most searched-for musicians were Oasis, driven by intense speculation and confirmed news about a long-awaited reunion of the Manchester band.
Overall Trends and Top Searches
Beyond the music charts, the overall search data presented some surprising results. Actor Mickey Rourke was named the most searched-for person overall in the UK for the year, indicating a renewed fascination with the Hollywood star.
The category for notable deaths saw significant search volume. US right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk was the most searched-for notable death, followed closely by Black Sabbath's iconic frontman Ozzy Osbourne, reflecting public concern and tribute following news about these figures.
Screen Searches: TV and Film Favourites
In the world of entertainment, specific titles commanded the UK's digital curiosity. The Netflix drama series Adolescence was the most searched-for TV show of the year, suggesting it was a major watercooler moment. For cinema fans, the most searched-for film was the long-anticipated sequel 28 Years Later, generating huge online buzz ahead of its release.
The search data, compiled and released on Thursday 4 December 2025, offers a clear, data-driven insight into the events, personalities, and releases that truly captured the British public's imagination over the course of the year.
