Who was Matthew Upham? Singer Kate Push pays tribute to late friend following his death on Christmas Day

Singer Kate Bush has paid tribute to her late friend Matthew Upham following his tragic death during a Christmas Day swim in Devon, England.

In her statement shared on her official website, the 67-year-old British songwriter described him as one of her dearest friends of thirty years, known for his kindness, thoughtfulness and zest for life. She wrote:

“As you might have heard on the news. Matthew Upham was one of the swimmers who went missing in the sea in Devon on Christmas Day. Matthew was one of my very dearest friends. I’d known him for thirty years.”

She added:

“He was one of those people who touched everyone he met. He was extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full. He was also a great deal of fun.”

Bush noted that Upham was a “strong swimmer” and had a great love for “kayaking.” Bush ended her note with words of gratitude, thanking Upham “for being one of the best friends anyone could have.”

Reportedly, Upham died on December 25 while swimming in the English Channel off the coast of Devon. He was a 63-year-old antiques dealer from Budleigh Salterton, Devon, England.

Continue to read for more details.

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All we need to know about Matthew Upham

Matthew Upham was a British antiques dealer known for his business specializing in 18th-century furniture and European chandeliers.

After spending decades trading in London, Upham relocated his shop, Matthew Upham Antiques, to Upham House on the High Street. His shop operated only on an appointment-only basis, as described by the official website:

“allows us to provide dedicated attention and expert guidance, ensuring that each customer receives the utmost satisfaction.”

His official website stated that Matthew Upham ran the business with his life partner and business partner, James Upham, noting them as “proud proprietors.”

According to a report in The Independent, Upham entered the stormy waters to rescue a woman struggling in the strong winds. While several individuals were rescued, two men, including Upham, remain unaccounted for, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.

Upham also operated an Instagram account for his antiques business called matthew_upham_antiques. The page featured English canvases, antique chandeliers and cutlery sets.

The recent post on his account was a tribute from Major H. Upham, dedicated to Matthew on his passing. It read:

“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved family member Matthew Upham, who was reported missing on Christmas Morning. Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed.”

The tribute continued:

“We would like to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the emergency services who responded, particularly the RNLI and coastguard, for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts during this extremely difficult time.”

It ended with:

“As we grieve and support one another, we kindly ask that our family’s privacy is respected. We thank everyone for their understanding, kindness, and condolences.”

A local dressmaker, Gail Williams, paid tribute to Matthew Upham, remembering him as “a valued and upstanding member of the Budleigh Salterton community.” She referred to him as an “accomplished swimmer” who met her seven years ago when he brought his mother to her shop in Budleigh Salterton for alterations to their clothing.