Kate Bush has expressed her profound sorrow after her friend, antiques dealer Matthew Upham, went missing during a Christmas Day swim in Devon. The 63-year-old was one of two men who disappeared in stormy seas off Budleigh Salterton.
Bush, 67, confirmed the news on her website, writing: “Matthew was one of my very dearest friends. I’d known him for 30 years. He was one of those people who touched everyone he met.” She described him as “extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full”.
According to reports, Mr Upham had tried to save a woman in distress before being swept away. He was a strong swimmer and avid kayaker who understood the sea should be respected, Bush added.
A large-scale rescue operation was launched on Christmas Day morning after several swimmers got into difficulty. While many were rescued, two men – one in his forties and another in his sixties – could not be located. The coastguard stood down its search at 5pm on Christmas Day, and police confirmed both men remain missing.
Mr Upham’s family expressed their gratitude to the emergency services, particularly the RNLI and coastguard, for their efforts. A friend described him as “the kindest person”, while another called him “a bringer of joy and an inspiration”.
