Kate Bush Mourns Close Friend Lost in Christmas Day Devon Swim
A beloved singer-songwriter is grieving the loss of a longtime friend, Matthew Upham, an antique dealer who tragically died during a swim in Devon, England, on Christmas Day.
The incident, which also involved another man, occurred at a beach in Budleigh Salterton. According to reports from HM Coastguard, emergency services responded to calls of “people in difficulty” in the water before ultimately calling off the search later that day, as initially reported by Sky News.
Writing on her official website, Kate Bush shared her profound sorrow, stating, “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.” She described Upham as “one of my very dearest friends,” a relationship spanning three decades. “He was one of those people who touched everyone he met,” Bush continued. “He was extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full. He was also a great deal of fun.”
Bush emphasized the depth of the loss, noting that both his family and her own circle of friends are “heartbroken.” She further highlighted Upham’s respect for the ocean, stating, “Matthew was a very strong swimmer. He had a great love for kayaking. He understood that the sea should be respected. It’s so tragic that he lost his life this way.”
“The world has lost someone incredibly special,” Bush concluded. “Thank you Matthew, for being one of the best friends anyone could have.”
Upham’s family also released a statement via the Matthew Upham Antiques Instagram page, expressing their grief and gratitude. The family wrote, “Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed.” They extended “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,” adding that they are “profoundly grateful for their compassion and support.”
https://www.instagram.com/matthewuphamantiques/
The tragedy comes as Bush experiences a resurgence in popularity, fueled by a significant increase in streams of her 1985 hit, ‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)’ following the premiere of the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. She recently channeled this renewed attention into a philanthropic endeavor, inviting 52 visual artists to create works inspired by the song for a 2025 fundraiser benefiting War Child, an annual auction supporting the organization.
In February of this year, Bush also joined a collective of over 1,000 artists, including Damon Albarn and Annie Lennox, in releasing a silent album as a protest against the use of artificial intelligence in music and proposed changes to UK copyright laws regarding AI.
The loss of Matthew Upham serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of friendship.
