Viewers tuning into BBC Breakfast on Saturday, December 27, 2025, were met with a somber start to their morning as presenters Charlie Stayt and Emma Vardy delivered devastating news. The search for two men who vanished during a Christmas Day swim off the coast of Budleigh Salterton, East Devon, had been officially called off, leaving a community in mourning and families grappling with loss.
The annual Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton is typically an unofficial but joyful tradition, drawing locals and visitors alike for a bracing dip in the chilly waters. But this year, the event turned to tragedy. According to both BBC Breakfast and The Express, 63-year-old antique dealer Matthew Upham and another man in his 40s were among a group of swimmers who got into difficulty just after 10:30 AM on December 25. The sea, usually a source of festive cheer, became perilous as conditions rapidly deteriorated.
Charlie Stayt opened the broadcast with a heavy heart, stating, “Our main story today is that tributes are being paid to one of the two men who are missing off the East Devon coast, with his family saying he was deeply loved and will be forever missed.” Emma Vardy followed, confirming, “Police have called off the search for 63-year-old Matthew Upham and another man in his 40s, who were among a number of people who got into difficulty in the sea during a Christmas Day swim in Budleigh Salterton.”
Reporter Rebecca, on the scene in Devon, painted a vivid picture of the events as they unfolded. “Antique dealer Matthew Upham was among the swimmers to enter the sea at Budleigh Salterton on Christmas morning,” she reported. “He was one of two men who police say are still missing after getting into difficulty while taking part in what was meant to be an unofficial but joyful Christmas tradition.”
The emergency response was swift and extensive. A “massive emergency search began just before 10:30am,” Rebecca explained, “but was called off at last light.” Despite the best efforts of rescue teams, the two men were not found. The abrupt end to the search at dusk left many hoping for a miracle that, heartbreakingly, did not come.
On social media, tributes poured in for Matthew Upham. His family, reeling from the sudden loss, expressed gratitude to those who tried to help, saying they were “heartbroken by their loss and wanted to thank the emergency services for their tireless efforts and professionalism.” In a message that resonated with viewers across the country, the family added, “Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed.”
The tragedy did not end with the two missing men. Several other swimmers also found themselves in trouble as the sea’s power became overwhelming. Emergency services were called to assist, and a number of people were taken to hospital as a precaution. The incident served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea, even for those familiar with its moods.
One of the swimmers, Mike Brown, shared his harrowing experience with BBC Breakfast. “The conditions were worse than normal,” he admitted. “It was much worse conditions than normal, and some of the worst conditions I’ve ever tried to swim in. With hindsight, it was clearly a mistake to try and get in.”
Mike went on to describe his rescue, a tale that highlighted both the danger and the courage present that day. “Two local guys, whom I need to try and find and thank, basically waded in in their clothes and tried to get me out,” he recounted. “One got knocked over, and they aborted the first time. Then another wave hit me. I managed to hold on, and then the second time they came in, I was unable to stand, and they took an arm each and dragged me to safety. And as quick as it started, it was over. I was on the beach, and I was safe.”
Such acts of bravery stood out amid the chaos, offering a glimmer of hope and humanity in an otherwise devastating situation. The two local men who managed to pull Mike Brown from the water did so at great personal risk, underscoring the solidarity and selflessness that often emerges in moments of crisis.
The Christmas Day swim at Budleigh Salterton, while unofficial, has a long-standing place in the town’s festive calendar. For years, residents and visitors have gathered to mark the holiday with a bracing dip, often in costumes and always with a spirit of camaraderie. But this year’s tragedy has cast a shadow over the event, prompting reflection on the risks involved and the unpredictable power of nature.
As the community comes to terms with the events of December 25, questions are being raised about how to ensure the safety of such gatherings in the future. While no official body organizes the Budleigh Salterton swim, the incident may prompt calls for greater oversight or precautionary measures, especially when weather and sea conditions are less than ideal. The collective grief is palpable, yet so too is the determination to honor those lost by learning from what happened.
The response from emergency services has been widely praised. Both the family of Matthew Upham and those present at the swim expressed deep appreciation for the professionalism and dedication shown by the rescuers. In times of crisis, the efforts of these teams—often working in treacherous conditions themselves—make all the difference, even when the outcome is not what anyone hoped for.
For now, the focus remains on supporting the families affected and the community at large. Tributes to Matthew Upham, described by loved ones as “deeply loved and forever missed,” continue to appear online and in local media. The identity of the second missing man, in his 40s, has not been released, but he too is being remembered by those who knew him.
Meanwhile, those who narrowly escaped tragedy, like Mike Brown, are left with a renewed sense of gratitude—and perhaps a mission to find and thank the strangers who risked their own safety to help others. “As quick as it started, it was over. I was on the beach, and I was safe,” Mike reflected, his words a poignant reminder of how swiftly circumstances can change at sea.
As East Devon grieves, the events of Christmas Day 2025 will not soon be forgotten. The community’s outpouring of love and support, the heroism displayed in the face of danger, and the tireless efforts of emergency services all stand as testament to the resilience of the human spirit—even in the darkest of times.
