SAD NEWS ANNOUNCED LIVE ON AIR 𝐁𝐁𝐂 Breakfast hosts delivered a heartbreaking update during today’s broadcast as tributes poured in for the missing swimmers. Voices trembled. The studio fell quiet. And across the country, hearts broke together.

BBC Breakfast hosts announce sad news on air as tributes pour in for missing swimmers

BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Emma Vardy paid tribute to Matthew Upham and another man who went missing during a Christmas Day swim in East Devon

Charlie Stayt opened the show with some hearbreaking news (Image: BBC)

BBC Breakfast presenters Charlie Stayt and Emma Vardy delivered some devastating news as they opened Saturday’s programme. The pair paid tribute to one of the swimmers who disappeared following the Christmas Day swim off the East Devon coast.

Charlie opened the bulletin: “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 added: “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.”

Broadcasting from the scene in Devon, Rebecca explained: “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,” reports the Express.

Tributes have been paid to the beloved antiques dealer (Image: BBC)
Providing additional information, the BBC reporter continued: “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 was also present at the event, told BBC Breakfast, “The conditions were worse than normal”.

Charlie Stayt and Emma Vardy on BBC Breakfast (Image: BBC)
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 recounted being rescued by two men who ventured into the sea to assist him after he found himself in difficulty.

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.