BBC Breakfast's Charlie Stayt opens show with heartbreaking news as tributes pour in

BBC Breakfast's Charlie Stayt and Emma Vardy opened the show with some heartbreaking news on Saturday. The presenters paid tribute to one of the swimmers who went missing following the Christmas Day swim in East Devon.

Charlie began, "Good morning, Saturday, the 27th of December. 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 continued, "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. Our reporter Rebecca has the story."

As she reported from the scene in Devon, Rebecca shared, "Antique dealer Matthew Upham was among the swimmers to enter the sea at Budleigh Salterton on Christmas morning.

"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."

Sharing further details, the BBC reporter went on, "A massive emergency search began just before 10.30am, only called off at last light.

"On social media, Matthew's family says they're heartbroken by their loss and wanted to thank the emergency services for their tireless efforts and professionalism. They say Matthew is deeply loved and will be forever missed.

"The second man, in his 40s, also went missing during the swim. Several other swimmers needed help from the emergency services, with a number attending the hospital as a precaution."

Mike Brown, who also attended the event, told BBC Breakfast, "The conditions were worse than normal".

He said, "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 also recalled being saved by two men, who entered the sea to help him after he got into trouble.

He added, "Two local guys, whom I need to try and find and thank, basically waded in in their clothes and tried to get me out. 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."

BBC Breakfast airs daily at 6am on BBC One.

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