Antiques dealer Matthew Upham missing after Christmas Day swim in Budleigh Salterton, Devon will be “forever missed”

An antiques dealer - missing after taking part in a Christmas Day swim in stormy conditions - will be “forever missed”, his family has said. Matthew Upham has still not been found after he went missing during the winter dip in Budleigh Salterton, Devon.

The 63-year-old was declared missing along with another swimmer - a man in his 40s - following reports people got into difficulty during the event, with a number rescued from the choppy waters and checked by paramedics or taken to hospital.

Mr Upham and the the other swimmer have not been found, with reports claiming a younger man may have died trying to save the antiques dealer. A statement posted to his business’s Instagram account said his family is “heartbroken by the loss” of Mr Upham.

“Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed,” it said. “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. We are profoundly grateful for their compassion and support.”

A friend of the antiques dealer, who was based in Budleigh Salterton, described him as “the kindest person”, and added: “The world will miss such a shining star.”

Another said he was “a beautiful man with the sweetest soul and only had kind words to say about everyone”, while another said he was “a bringer of joy and an inspiration”.

Before moving to Devon, it is understood the Upham family antiques firm was based in London for around 40 years.

Meanwhile, East Devon District Council has urged locals to “think twice before taking the plunge this festive season”. The local authority said cold water shock, strong current and unpredictable weather conditions can turn a “quick dip into a serious emergency”.

Among swimmers on December 25 was Mike Brown, 60, who told the BBC that the conditions on Thursday were the “worst” he had ever seen. He said he was “unable to get out” after entering the sea and was helped by “two very brave men”.

And the Coastguard said “extensive shoreline and offshore searches” had been stood down at 5pm on Christmas Day, with Devon and Cornwall Police saying the families of the men were being kept informed of developments.

On Boxing Day, a police spokesman said “both men remain missing”. A number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled this year because of a yellow weather warning for wind which covered parts of the south west and Wales.