“Some Mornings, I Wake Up Already Grieving — Even Though She’s Still Right Beside Me.” In His Most Shattering Confession Yet, Martin Frizell Revealed The Unbearable Reality Of Watching Fiona Phillips Slip Further Into Dementia, Admitting That The Days They Once Measured As “Good Or Bad” Have Now Collapsed Into Something Far Darker: “Bad Or Wretched,” With Moments So Relentless She Asks The Same Question 72 Times In Just 35 Minutes, Each Repetition Slicing Deeper Than The Last. His Voice Broke As He Confessed The Guilt That Haunts Him — The Cruel, Impossible Wish That The Illness Had Chosen Him Instead — Whispering, “I Would Take This Suffering In A Heartbeat If It Meant She Could Be Free,” While Those Closest To The Family Say The Man Who Once Anchored Others Now Fights Just To Hold Himself Together. Across Britain, Listeners Were Left Stunned Into Silence, Moved Not By Drama But By The Raw Truth Of Love Refusing To Leave, Even As Memory Fades, Identities Blur, And Hope Becomes Something You Cling To Minute By Minute — Because When The World Forgets Her, Martin Vows He Never Will.

Martin Frizell has offered a deeply moving update on the health of his wife, beloved broadcaster Fiona Phillips, revealing that the realities of her dementia diagnosis have left the couple navigating days that are “no longer good or bad — only bad or wretched.”

Speaking candidly on Newsnight during an interview with Victoria Derbyshire, the former This Morning editor described how Fiona’s condition has continued to worsen, particularly her short-term memory, which now fades almost instantly.

“Good days and bad days are gone”

Frizell admitted that the language he once used to track Fiona’s progress no longer applies.

“I used to say we had good days and bad days,” he reflected. “Now I say bad days or wretched days. That’s where we are.”

The comment captured the painful emotional toll the couple has experienced since Fiona — a widely respected journalist and TV host — was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2022 at the age of 61.

In new excerpts from their joint memoir, Fiona Phillips and husband Martin Frizell get candid about her Alzheimer’s diagnosis (Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

72 repeated questions in 35 minutes

Frizell recounted one particularly stark moment: a short taxi ride to a medical appointment that revealed the extent of Fiona’s memory loss.

In the span of just 35 minutes, Fiona asked him 72 times where they were going.

“It’s most days now,” he said quietly. “Her short-term memory is shot. Completely gone.”

He explained that Fiona often becomes confused or anxious when trying to process simple information, describing a version of his wife who is still loving, warm and present, but increasingly disconnected from reality as moments slip away faster than he can reassure her.

A couple trying to adapt — and grieving in real time

Fiona Phillips has been open in the past about her fear of dementia, which runs in her family. Both her mother and father died after battles with Alzheimer’s, and she once admitted that she worried she might follow the same path. That fear became reality in 2022 when doctors confirmed her diagnosis.

Frizell said the couple now live in a world measured minute-by-minute — one where Fiona’s vibrant career, sharp wit and tireless work ethic feel agonisingly distant.

“She was someone who thrived on work. Someone who never stopped,” he said. “To see her now, confused, frightened, asking the same question again and again… it’s heartbreaking.”

A reminder of a national crisis

Beyond his personal grief, Frizell used the interview to highlight the challenges families across the UK face in accessing support for dementia patients — calling the system “overwhelmed, underfunded, and nowhere near prepared.”

He stressed that hundreds of thousands of families are quietly fighting the same battle, often without adequate resources.

Fiona is “still here” — but changed forever

Despite the grim outlook, Frizell emphasised that Fiona’s personality still shines through in moments of clarity: her humour, her warmth, and flashes of the journalist Britain came to love.

“She’s still with us. She’s still Fiona,” he said. “But the Fiona who could hold a conversation, remember details, organise a day… she slips away a little more each week.”

As the interview closed, Frizell’s voice wavered — a man grieving the loss of the woman he loves while she is still physically beside him.

“SHE KEPT SMILING — BUT HER EYES SAID EVERYTHING.” Kate Garraway Stood At The Edge Of The University Gates, Watching Her Daughter Darcey Step Forward Into A Brand-new Life, And For A Fleeting Second She Did What She Has Always Done For The World: She Smiled. A Careful Smile. A Brave One. But In The Pauses Between Hugs, In The Quiet Seconds No Camera Could Soften, The Absence Of Derek Draper Weighed Heavier Than Any Proud Parent Moment Ever Should. This Was Meant To Be A Milestone Shared, A Victory Lap After Years Of Unimaginable Endurance — And Instead, It Arrived Wrapped In Silence.

Kate Garraway has spoken with raw honesty about the deep mix of sadness, anger, pride, and grief she felt when dropping her daughter Darcey off at university—an emotional milestone made even more painful by the absence of her late husband, Derek Draper. The moment, which should have been shared between two parents, instead became a stark reminder of loss, leaving Kate grappling with emotions she admitted were difficult to contain.

The Good Morning Britain presenter, who shares two children—Darcey and Billy—with Derek, explained that the experience was particularly hard because of the contrast she saw all around her. As she arrived on campus, she watched other students being helped by both parents, carrying boxes and offering reassurance, and although she acknowledged that not every family looks the same, in that moment it felt as though everyone else had what she and her daughter no longer did.

Derek Draper died aged 56 in January 2024 after four years of severe health struggles, becoming one of the UK’s longest-suffering Covid patients. His illness and eventual passing cast a long shadow over the family’s lives, affecting not only their day-to-day reality but also milestones that followed. For Kate, the journey to university was not just about her daughter starting a new chapter, but also about confronting everything Derek had missed.

Kate revealed that the emotional weight of the moment was intensified by how uncertain Darcey’s academic future once seemed. She explained that, at one point, they genuinely feared Darcey would not pass her A-levels. The combination of grief, disruption, and the emotional fallout after Derek’s death had taken a toll. Darcey had missed a significant amount of school during lower sixth, and expectations—both from the family and from her school—were understandably low.

Against those odds, Darcey surprised everyone. Kate said her daughter did not achieve perfect results, but she performed far better than anyone had anticipated. That achievement brought an enormous sense of relief and pride, especially given the circumstances. For Kate, seeing Darcey reach university felt like a victory hard-won through resilience, perseverance, and quiet strength during a devastating period.

That sense of triumph, however, was inseparable from grief. As they prepared to leave Darcey at university, Kate admitted she tried to hold back her emotions so as not to overwhelm her daughter. Despite that effort, both of them felt Derek’s absence deeply. Kate said there was an unspoken understanding between them that he should have been there, sharing the moment.

She described how watching parents unload cars and settle their children in triggered a very conscious awareness of what was missing. While she was struggling with the practicalities—lugging suitcases and boxes alone—there was also the emotional weight of knowing Derek would have been there, offering help, encouragement, and pride. She said she couldn’t help thinking how proud he would have been of Darcey and how much he would have loved seeing her take this step.

The hardest moment, Kate explained, came when it was time to leave. Speaking on the Off Menu, she said that Darcey herself was coping well with the goodbye. It was Kate who found the aftermath unbearable. Driving away, she was overwhelmed by the realization that she had no one beside her to share the conflicting emotions of sadness and achievement.

Kate said that in another life, she and Derek would have gone for a meal together after dropping Darcey off, talking through the day, feeling emotional but also congratulating each other for getting their daughter through such a difficult chapter. Instead, she found herself alone with her thoughts, feeling not only grief but also anger that Derek was no longer there to experience this moment with her.

She admitted that part of her reaction was feeling “cross” rather than just sad—angry at the unfairness of it all, angry that Derek had been taken away after everything the family endured. It was a powerful admission that grief is not only about sorrow, but also about frustration and resentment at what has been lost.

Despite the pain, Kate shared that Darcey has developed a comforting way of keeping her father close. She explained that her daughter often attributes positive moments in her life to Derek, believing he is still looking out for her. For Darcey, this belief offers reassurance and a sense of ongoing connection that helps her navigate life without him.

Kate gave several examples of this. If Darcey manages to secure a sold-out festival ticket, she will say, “That was dad.” If she is stressed about submitting coursework and something suddenly works after a panic, she credits her father for helping from afar. Kate said she finds this comforting, describing it as a gentle and positive way for Darcey to feel protected and supported.

For Kate, allowing space for that belief feels important. Rather than discouraging it, she embraces the idea that Derek’s presence can still be felt in moments of success and relief. She said it helps her daughter—and herself—feel that Derek remains part of their lives, even if he is no longer physically there.

The university drop-off, then, became far more than a routine parental milestone. It was a convergence of grief, pride, anger, relief, and love, all colliding at once. Kate’s reflections highlight how loss does not disappear with time, but instead reappears in new forms at significant moments, reshaping experiences that might otherwise feel straightforward.

Through her openness, Kate Garraway has once again given voice to the complexities of grief and parenting after loss. Her story resonates with anyone who has had to celebrate a child’s achievement while mourning the absence of someone who should have been there to share it. In her honesty, she captures not only heartbreak, but also the enduring strength of love, memory, and the belief that those we lose continue to walk beside us in quiet, meaningful ways.

“I Can’t Leave Her… Not Now, Not Ever”: Harry Redknapp Maintains 24/7 Vigil, Collapsing Beside His Wife’s Bedside After 58 Years of Devotion

Legendary former football manager Harry Redknapp, 78, is demonstrating to the entire nation the extraordinary power of devotion as his wife, Sandra, 77, remains hospitalized following an emergency admission. Images of Harry keeping vigil hour after hour by her bedside at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, have become a symbol of enduring love after nearly six decades.

Witnesses at the hospital describe a touching scene: Harry barely moved from his plastic chair since December 9, 2025. Anxiety and devotion were clearly etched on his face every time he gripped Sandra’s hand tighter, especially when the monitors beeped. A close friend revealed Harry’s choked-up whisper outside the ward: “I can’t leave her… not now, not ever.”

Pneumonia Recurrence in a Complex Context

Sandra was rushed to the hospital on December 7 after collapsing at their Bournemouth home with severe breathing difficulties. Initial reports suggest a recurrence of pneumonia—the same illness that nearly claimed her life in 2017—now complicated by her long-standing battle with rheumatoid arthritis and recent mobility issues.

Harry, who has always publicly called Sandra “his rock” since they met at 17, cancelled all professional commitments, including his punditry slot on Sky Sports, to care for his wife 24/7.

Silent Devotion

Those close to him confirm that Harry has barely eaten or slept, sustaining himself only on vending-machine coffee and sheer willpower. One visitor shared: “He holds her hand like it’s the only thing keeping her here.” Nurses at the hospital were also moved by his dedication, recounting how Harry continuously tells his wife stories from their life—from their first dance, their children, to West Ham’s FA Cup victory—as if desperately pleading for her to stay.

A Love That Transcends Historical Turmoil

Their 58-year love story has entered football folklore. Married in 1967, they have navigated tragedy (the 1990 car crash in Italy that killed Harry’s friend and left him with a fractured skull), triumph (Harry’s 2008 FA Cup win with Portsmouth), and relentless media scrutiny. The 2017 pneumonia scare saw Harry cancel an I’m a Celebrity stint to be with her, famously stating: “Football’s nothing compared to her.”

The entire nation is collectively sending well wishes, with the hashtag #StayStrongSandra reaching 400,000 posts. Their son, Jamie Redknapp, shared a childhood photo of his parents dancing, with the message: “Mum, you’re tougher than all of us. We love you.”

Doctors remain cautiously optimistic, with Sandra’s condition described as “stable but serious.” Harry told a friend: “She’s my world. I’m not going anywhere.”

For a nation that has followed their love story from East End ballrooms to Wembley glory, Harry Redknapp’s greatest victory is not on the pitch, but the hand he resolutely refuses to let go.

“HE’S TOO SCARED TO SACK HER.” 𝘒𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳 was left squirming as a TalkTV star tore into him LIVE on air, accusing the PM of hiding behind Rachel Reeves instead of taking control

Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer have been under fire for weeks.

Keir Starmer is struggling to win over voters (Image: Getty)

Keir Starmer has been accused of being too afraid to get rid of Rachel Reeves after an abundance of backlash following her November 2025 budget. TalkTV regular Candice Holdsworth shared her fury on the broadcast as she issued a statement about her thoughts on both Starmer and Reeves. She said on the show: “She hasn’t achieved growth, inflation is still going and it’s terrible, she has presided over an economy where no new jobs have been created, she has broken every manifesto promise.”

She then raged that it was just “failure from top to bottom”, before questioning how she was still in office. Holdsworth added: “Will she be there for another Christmas? Because Keir Starmer’s a bit too afraid to get rid of her. He knows that if she goes, he goes.”

Candice submitted Rachel Reeves for “plank of the year” (Image: TalkTV)

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The discussion on Reeves came as Candice had submitted her for her nomination of Plank of the Year, which had been the Chancellor. She reflected on the year prior, where she said that Reeves had also been nominated for the award then too.

Candice said: “We were all very skeptical that she was going to get any of her objectives done, and I think we were proven right!” The panel discussed the “lies” relating to the claims that the Tories had left a “black hole” in the country’s finances.

She was accused of “making that story up” to increase taxes, as one of the panellists, Chloe Dobbs, branded her the “queen of lying” as she smiled while addressing the OBR “exposing her” with the release of financial records. Fellow panellist Peter Barnes then stated she is bad at lying because she keeps getting caught.

Chloe fumed at her “lack of humility” as she stated Reeves would refuse to hold her hands up and explain why she had to change her mind on previous manifesto pledges. Panellist Rafe Heydel-Mankoo then jumped in to add: “Even if she doesn’t get Plank of the Year, you know it’s going to be on her CV.”

However, despite the debate, Reeves didn’t get the award from host Kevin O’Sullivan, instead it went to who he described as: “We have to choose the overarching, massive, predominant Plank of the Year, and that can only be, our pathetic, useless, calamitous Prime Minister, two-tier Sir Keir Starmer. Sir Keir Starmer, you are Plank of the Year!”

 TEARS AT THE ALTAR… Adam Peaty cried as the “𝖑𝖔𝖛𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖑𝖎𝖋𝖊” Holly Ramsay walked down the aisle — a friend calling it “a privilege” to witness

Adam Peaty cried when the ‘love of his life’ Holly Ramsay walked down the aisle at their wedding ceremony on Saturday, his close friend and showbiz pal Sara Davies has revealed.

The Olympic swimmer, 31, tied the knot with influencer Holly, 25, at Bath Abbey on Saturday with a reception following at the swanky Kin House – amid a bitter fallout with his family which saw his mother uninvited from proceedings.

Dragon’s Den star Sara, 41, was among the celebrity attendees after forming a friendship with Adam when they both appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021.

While Sara is yet to share any snaps with the couple on their wedding day, she did post a sweet message to Adam on Instagram on Sunday and shared pictures of the pair.

She sweetly said: ‘Yesterday I had the privilege of being at this amazing man’s wedding – and it also gave me a moment to reflect on how lucky I’ve been to have him in my life over the past four years.

‘From the first day we met on Strictly, we’ve been firm friends, and it was a real honour to sit in Bath Abbey and watch him get emotional as the love of his life walked down the aisle.

Adam Peaty cried when the ‘love of his life’ Holly Ramsay walked down the aisle at their wedding ceremony on Saturday, his close friend Sara Davies has revealed

Dragon’s Den star Sara, 41, was among the celebrity attendees after forming a friendship with Adam when they both appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021

‘It was such a special day. Simon and I had the best time, the service was beautiful – and I’m sure you’ll not be surprised to hear me say, it was hands down the best wedding food I’ve ever had.

‘Wishing my wonderful friend and his gorgeous bride a lifetime of happiness together.’

She shared a series of snaps of them together over the years as well as behind-the-scenes at Strictly.

Sara also posted some pictures of the ceremony to her story as she reunited with other Strictly pal Dan Walker.

She was joined by her husband Simon and wore a blue and black flower patterned dress.

On Sunday morning Dan shared the first glimpse inside the Olympian’s ‘unforgettable’ wedding to Holly.

TV presenter Dan, 48, who also competed on Strictly with Adam in 2021, took to Instagram to share a photo of the couple’s order of service and gushed over the ‘wonderful’ day.

Dan, who attended the ceremony with his wife Sarah, wrote: ‘We had a lovely time celebrating with @adam_peaty & @hollyramsayy yesterday.

‘Great wedding, top people, wonderful service, unforgettable reception, brilliant speeches and we got to sing some bangers in the church too’.

While Sara is yet to share any snaps from with the couple on their wedding day, she did share a sweet message to Adam on Instagram on Sunday and shared pictures of the pair

She sweetly said: ‘Yesterday I had the privilege of being at this amazing man’s wedding – and it also gave me a moment to reflect on how lucky I’ve been to have him in my life…’

She was joined by her husband Simon and wore a pretty blue and black flower patterned dress for the wedding

Sara posted some pictures of the ceremony to her story as she reunited with other Strictly pal Dan Walker

As well as showing off the illustrated cover of the order of service, Dan included a picture from inside, showing the words to the hymn Be Thou My Vision, which also soundtracked his Instagram post.

On Sunday, Cruz Beckham also shared a selfie with brother Romeo during the bash.

Holly swept into her wedding in Bath Abbey on the arm of her celebrity chef father, but kept her lace gown concealed beneath a billowing hooded ivory cloak.

If the influencer appeared nervous as she made her way through a chaotic crowd of onlookers before she headed down the aisle to exchange vows with Adam, she had good reason.

For behind the couple’s lavish nuptials lay an ugly family drama which resulted in the groom’s mother – and nearly every member of his family – excluded from the dazzling ceremony amid claims of snobbery and classism.

Sitting at home more than 130 miles away in Staffordshire, Adam’s broken–hearted mother Caroline was said to be ‘beside herself’ with grief at missing what should have been one of the happiest days of her life.

Speaking from the council house where Adam grew up, the 59–year–old told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I’m not going to be hurt like this again’.

She had told Daily Mail that she felt as if Holly and Adam ‘have cut my heart out’.

This newspaper can also reveal that, moments before he walked into the abbey clutching the hand of his five–year–old son George, Adam Peaty was sent a devastating text message by his aunt Louise, who was also not invited to the wedding.

In it, she wrote: ‘I hope you never suffer the depth of pain you have put your mother through and despite it all she loves you still. Shame on you both. Shame.

‘Remember on this, your happiest day, and on each anniversary of your happiest day, that you hurt your mum so deeply her soul screams.’

The roots of this terrible family conflict go back to September 2024, when Adam and Holly snubbed wider members of the Peaty family by not inviting them to their engagement party.

Caroline, who spent years ferrying her son to early–morning training sessions, was also not invited to Holly’s glamorous hen do at Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds last month, even though the bride’s mother, Tana Ramsay, and friends including Victoria Beckham, were at the extravagant bash.

She added: ‘It was such a special day. Simon and I had the best time, the service was beautiful – and I’m sure you’ll not be surprised to hear me say, it was hands down the best wedding food I’ve ever had’

She shared pictures of them together over the years

Holly stunned in a lace gown on Saturday at Bath Abbey but fans will have to wait to see the full dress

Despite everything Caroline sent a card and gift to her newlywed son for his 31st birthday today.

Meanwhile, Adam’s 73–year–old great–aunt Janet, who was also left out of yesterday’s wedding, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I just feel so sorry for Caroline.

‘I can’t believe he’s done this to his mother who’s done so much for him from an early age. To be treated like this is not kind.’

Despite being shunned, devastated Caroline had threatened to turn up at the wedding anyway – and, if barred from entering the abbey, stand outside and watch from the street.

She said yesterday that she changed her mind after her husband Mark convinced her it would be ‘too upsetting’ to go along.

Had she defied her son’s ban, she would have found herself face–to–face with five security guards, placed in front of the abbey’s ancient and elaborately carved wooden doors, which were framed by decorative columns of white roses and hydrangeas.

The Ramsay family splashed out thousands on the venue, where weddings normally cost around £2,500, block–booking it for the day to ensure the service took place in absolute secrecy.

Having found fame and fortune for his foul–mouthed antics in the kitchen, Gordon Ramsay was on his best behaviour as he helped his daughter from a black Rolls–Royce which drew up outside the Gothic abbey at about 12.30pm.

He was seen whispering in her ear before kissing her cheek while an attendant straightened her outfit.

Buffeted by an icy wind, the pair were mobbed by well–wishers shouting ‘Merry Christmas’ as they passed.

Waiting inside for a first glimpse of the bride was a celebrity–studded congregation, including Sir David and Victoria Beckham, who are no strangers to family feuds themselves.

Their sons Romeo and Cruz and daughter Harper, who are close friends of the Ramsays, were also there – but not estranged son Brooklyn.

Marcus Wareing from Masterchef: The Professionals and his wife Jane were also there.

The ensuing ceremony, one guest later told The Mail on Sunday, was ‘beautiful and very emotional’.

Like Adam, who is a devout Christian, Holly was determined that they would exchange vows in a religious service. Peaty’s son George, from a previous relationship, was said to have played a pivotal role in the ceremony.

The three bridesmaids were Holly’s older sister Megan, 27, younger sister Tilly, 24, and Adam’s sister Bethany – the only member of his family to be invited to the event, as well as to the hen party.

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Adam Peaty’s Strictly Come Dancing co-star shares first glimpse inside Olympian’s ‘unforgettable’ wedding to Holly Ramsay at Bath Abbey

Other relatives said Bethany had been included as one of the bride’s attendants because she ‘fits in’ with the Ramsays’ glamorous world.

In what was seen by some as a display of defiance against her family, Bethany linked arms with Holly’s eldest sister as they entered the abbey carrying white arum lilies.

The bridesmaids wore red flowing dresses designed by Victoria Beckham. The former Spice Girl also wore one of her own frocks, a £1,290 teal number, and the dark green silk dress worn by the bride’s mother, 51–year–old Tana, was also from Lady Beckham’s label.

Peaty, meanwhile, slicked back his hair and wore the same dinner suit as his new father–in–law.

There was no word, however, on the designer behind Holly’s romantic floral–patterned lace dress which was kept under wraps until the influencer was inside the abbey, away from prying cameras.

Other than the glaring absence of Peaty’s family, the bride and groom were declared man and wife without any drama.

The newlyweds left church at around 1.30pm to a joyful peal from the abbey bells and were driven away to their reception at Kin House, a Georgian manor house 17 miles away, near Chippenham.

Sara and Dan were seen leaving the abbey together

Adam’s mother Caroline (pictured), who spent years ferrying her son to early–morning training sessions, was not invited to the couple’s wedding – or to Holly’s glamorous hen do last month

There, guests were served a wedding banquet which featured prawn cocktail, beef Wellington and pan–roasted halibut followed by a tarte tatin. A traditional wedding cake was served at 8pm.

A source said: ‘Holly and Adam have been meticulous in their planning and it’s come together perfectly. They couldn’t wait to share everything with their guests.’

While the ceremony and reception were conducted in the utmost secrecy, it’s likely they will feature in an upcoming Netflix documentary series about life in the Ramsay family.

Its airing – expected early next year – may well be the first proper glimpse Caroline Peaty will get of her own son’s wedding.

𝐀 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐄… Kɑte Bush hɑs pɑid ɑn emotionɑl tribute to ɑ beloved ɑntiques deɑler feɑred to hɑve drowned during ɑ Christmɑs Dɑy swim — sɑying he “lived life to the full.”

Kate Bush has paid tribute to her ‘very dearest friend’ who disappeared in a Christmas Day swim after trying to save a woman in distress.

Antiques dealer Matthew Upham, 63, had gone to the beach on the morning of December 25 off the coast of Budleigh Salterton in Devon.

He was among dozens of others – some with Santa hats – who had taken the cold plunge into the sea only to get into serious difficulties within seconds due to huge swells caused by high winds.

Mr Upham and a man in his 40s are feared to have drowned after several other swimmers were pulled from the water by rescuers.

Ms Bush, 67, who has lived in Devon since 2005, has now shared a tribute to her friend of 30 years – saying he ‘lived life to the full’.

The Running Up That Hill singer wrote on her website: ‘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.

‘His family are heartbroken and, along with many of his friends, so am I. 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. Thank you, Matthew, for being one of the best friends anyone could have.’

Matthew Upham, 63, (pictured) is feared to have drowned after he went for a traditional festive dip off the coast of Budleigh Salterton in Devon

Kate Bush, 67, who has lived in Devon since 2005, has now shared a tribute to her friend of 30 years – saying he ‘lived life to the full’

Mr Upham had gone to the beach with friends on Christmas Day morning for the annual swim.

Following high winds, he had nearly made it back to shore when he spotted a woman in difficulty beyond the surf line.

A friend of 30-years told the Mail on Sunday: ‘Matthew swam back out to reach her but as he did so a huge wave crashed into him and dragged him under. He hasn’t been seen since.

‘He was an exceptionally fit man and someone who swam those waters practically every day but more than that he was an incredibly selfless person.

‘So when he saw that woman in distress, there was only going to be one outcome and that was him swimming straight out to reach her rather than save himself.

‘From what I’ve been told, he’d actually made it out of danger initially and was about to reach the beach but turned back when he saw the woman struggling.

‘His friends who were with him watched him go out to her but when the wave came it was so strong, it just dragged him along, he really didn’t have a chance.

‘The woman eventually made it back to shore but Matthew is still missing and hopes of finding alive are fading fast.

Emergency services were called at 10.25am on Christmas Day to the beach at Budleigh Salterton following concern for swimmers in the water

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Antiques dealer feared drowned after going for Christmas swim was trying to save woman in distress

‘I think it’s important that people know that the reason he’s missing is because he went back out to save someone – he was a very strong a swimmer who knew that stretch of coast like the back of his hand and not someone who would recklessly put himself at risk.’

Initial reports suggested that the missing man in his 40s had gone to Mr Upham’s aid when he spotted him in peril.

Mr Upham ran his antique business in Fulham for many years before relocating to Devon and specialising in chandeliers.

He also appeared in several YouTube videos about antiques.

Little is known about the missing man in his 40s but he is believed to be married with children.

According to witnesses, swimmers had gone into the sea after spotting a lifeboat, raising concerns that participants may have thought the informal swim was supported by lifeguards.

It is understood that the RNLI lifeboat was out on an exercise, and was not there to protect swimmers participating in the Christmas Day swim.

However, the lifeboat responded immediately when people got into trouble and was joined by Exmouth and Beer Coastguard rescue teams and a search and rescue police helicopter.

Flowers left at the beacher where Mr Upham had gone to the beach with friends on Christmas Day morning for the annual swim

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Christmas Day swim survivor says ‘it was a mistake to get in’ after festive event ‘that killed two’

Devon and Cornwall Police said several swimmers were helped back to shore and taken to hospital as a precaution, but added: ‘Two men remain missing at this time and searches and enquiries are ongoing in efforts to locate them.’

Mr Upham’s family took to social media on Boxing Day to pay tribute to him, and to thank the emergency services for their efforts.

In a statement posted to the Instagram account of his antique shop in Budleigh Salterton, his nephew Major Harley Upham wrote: ‘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.

‘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.

‘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 MOTHER LEFT OUTSIDE… Adɑm Peɑty’s mum hɑs been seen for the first time since her son’s wedding — looking visibly heɑrtbroken

Adam Peaty’s ‘distraught’ mother Caroline has been spotted the day after her son got married to his wife Holly Ramsay without her in attendance.

The mother of the Olympic swimmer was uninvited from the wedding which kick started a huge family feud, but reportedly planned to ‘crash’ the event anyway.

After deciding against attending the ceremony uninvited, Caroline was seen leaving her family home in Staffordshire to visit her own mother Mavis on Sunday.

Caroline revealed to the Daily Mail that she has been left heartbroken over missing her son’s wedding, telling us the couple have ‘no idea how much they’ve hurt her’.

Caroline looked downcast as she left the property wrapped in a cream coat and scarf, hours after her husband Mark was also seen out and about.

Mark, who was pictured walking their dog near their home, wrapped up in an eye catching orange coat and winter hat as he stepped out.

The sighting came after it was revealed he was invited to the wedding at Bath Abbey, but was told he would have to sit in the back row.

More than 200 friends and family members gathered to see Adam, 31, and the daughter of Gordon Ramsay, 25, tie the knot this weekend.

Adam Peaty’s ‘distraught’ mother Caroline has been spotted the day after her son got married to his wife Holly Ramsay without her in attendance

More than 200 friends and family members gathered to see Adam, 31, and Holly Ramsay, 25, tie the knot this weekend (pictured)

Mark, who was seen walking the dog near their home, wrapped up in an eye catching orange coat and winter hat as he stepped out on Sunday, the day after the wedding

But the run-up to the wedding has been anything but plain sailing, sparking a toxic family row that captured the nation and left Peaty’s family disinvited to the nuptials.

Despite the feud, the gold medallist’s sister, Bethany Peaty, was among Holly’s bridesmaids, which also included her mother, Tana Ramsay, 51, and her sisters, Tilly, 24 and Megan, 27.

New information today has claimed that Adam’s dad was in fact invited to the special day.

A family source told The Sun on Sunday: ‘Frankly, it’s disgusting that it went ahead without Adam reaching out to his mum and dad beforehand.’

The insider continued: ‘It was a difficult day for Caroline and Mark, so the family spent the evening together. Caroline got upset as soon as she saw the photographs from the wedding.

‘For him to turn around and tell Beth that his dad could come and sit at the back of the church is awful. Mark was told he could sit behind plus-ones — who Adam has probably never even seen or spoken to.’

Meanwhile Adam’s mum Caroline said she is trying to stay upbeat and positive but, in truth, her heart is breaking.

She does her best to hold them in but tears inevitably fall as she talks exclusively to the Daily Mail: ‘I don’t think they understand how much they have hurt me; it’s as if they have cut my heart out,’ she says.

Caroline looked downcast as she left the property wrapped in a cream coat and scarf on Sunday, hours after her husband Mark was also seen out and about

Caroline revealed to the Daily Mail that she has been left heartbroken over missing her son’s wedding, telling us the couple have ‘no idea much they’ve hurt her’

Mark wrapped up in an eye catching orange coat as he stepped out after it was revealed he was invited to the wedding at Bath Abbey, but was told he would have to sit in the back row

A source said: ‘Mark was told he could sit behind plus-ones — who Adam has probably never even seen or spoken to’

‘This is the first Christmas that I’ve not had my family together – my family is broken.

‘Yes, I have my other grandchildren. Yes, I have my other children, but my family is split because of the goings on … because of the wedding.’

The outings come as Adam’s estranged brother James shared a pointed message with a ‘dark hidden meaning’ to his sibling after being uninvited to his wedding.

After being kicked off the invite list, James posted an old photograph with their mother Caroline Peaty standing outside of the wedding venue.

The poignant photo was deleted just 15 minutes after it was shared on his Instagram Story, perhaps signalling regret at how bitter the feud has become.

It won’t be lost on those who have followed the fallout the choice of location in the image, where Adam and Holly married just hours before the snap was posted.

The photo – taken on a different occasion – shows mother and son stood alone and dressed in what could be wedding finery in a symbolic move.

Notably, James – who was arrested for allegedly sending threatening messages to the athlete during his stag do – used a telling song alongside the image.

Adam’s estranged brother James has shared a pointed message with a ‘dark hidden meaning’ to his sibling after being uninvited to his wedding

The Olympic swimmer, 31, married Holly Ramsay, 25, in a ceremony at Bath Abbey on Saturday, but the majority of the groom’s family were not in attendance

According to new reports, Adam’s father Mark was the only person asked to attend their big day, however he was told he’d have to sit at the back ‘behind the plus ones’ (pictured Mark Peaty, Caroline Peaty and Adam)

James’s song of choice was a remix of ‘Speak Softly, Love’, which appears several times in the iconic Mafia film, The Godfather.

The first of the trilogy was released in 1972 and tells the story of the son of a Mafia boss Michael Corleone [Al Pacino] meeting ‘outsider’ Kay Adams [Diane Keaton].

Seemingly in this case, James is comparing The Corleones to the Ramsays, who are the more powerful family – while his brother Adam is ‘the outsider’.

The relationship deteriorates as Michael embraces his role as the Mafia boss, culminating in the last scene where the door shuts on Kay, symbolising her exclusion.

The now-deleted post of James and his mother was the only photo shared to his Instagram page, which has since been completely wiped of any images.

Adam and Holly have been at the centre of a bitter feud with his family, who were all uninvited from the nuptials, aside from his sister Beth.

Most his family stayed at home 150 miles away while the couple tied the knot in front of their guests in Somerset.

After being kicked off the invite list, James posted an old photograph on the day with their mother Caroline Peaty standing outside of the wedding venue (stock image Bath Abbey)

James Peaty, pictured second left alongside his brothers and parents, was questioned by police for two days before being released on conditional bail

In lieu of his parents or brothers, Adam’s swimming coach Melanie Marshall delivered a reading during the wedding breakfast.

In stark contrast, Holly’s parents were integral to the day with her famous father Gordon walking her down the aisle and her mother Tana giving a reading.

There was no sign of strife as the newlyweds beamed and made their grand exit from the historic 7th-century building following their ceremony.

They smiled as they made their way through an adoring crowd, keen to catch the loved-up couple, before they headed to the opulent Georgian manor, Kin House.

Meanwhile, Holly’s proud father, 59, was seen thanking members of the star-studded guest list, including the Beckhams, as they left the service.

But the run-up to the wedding has been anything but plain sailing, sparking a toxic family row that captured the nation and left Peaty’s family disinvited to the celebrations.

Adam’s other family members fuelled further speculation of a rift by flying a Union Jack flag upside down in Staffordshire.

The inverted flag – an internationally recognised symbol of distress – has been interpreted by some as a subtle dig aimed at Adam and his bride.

Adam and Holly pictured together after their ceremony

In what was seen by some as a display of defiance against her family, Bethany linked arms with Holly’s eldest sister as they entered the abbey carrying white arum lilies

Holly swept into her wedding in Bath Abbey on the arm of her celebrity chef father Gordon

David and Victoria arrive for Holly Ramsay and Adam Peaty’s wedding. Victoria wore one of her own frocks, a stylish £1,290 teal number

However, is not known whether it was a deliberate snub or a simple mistake made by the patriotic family.

Caroline had reportedly planned to crash the wedding but has since decided against it explaining ‘it would be too sad’ and she doesn’t ‘want to spoil his big day’.

Her change of heart came after she’d previously insisted: ‘I will be there, and I will watch from the street.’

However, her husband Mark dissuaded her from crashing the wedding, telling her it would be ‘too upsetting’ to be there.

Instead, the Peatys remained at their home in Uttoxeter – the same home from which Caroline used to ferry her son to and from his countless training sessions and competitions, all those years ago.

Read More

EXCLUSIVE
Holly Ramsay looked radiant in her billowing ivory gown… but as the wedding party was buffeted by the freezing wind, an even icier text was winging its way to Adam Peaty

Six weeks ago, Caroline revealed her hurt and bewilderment in the wake of an extraordinary family bust-up that had exploded into the public arena after Holly’s very glossy hen-do, to which she was not invited.

Photographs of the glamorous gathering, posted on Instagram, notably included the bride-to-be, her family and friends, Victoria Beckham, Adam’s sister Bethany, but not Caroline.

She was at home, looking after Adam’s son, George, five, from his previous relationship with Eirianedd Munro.

The move kick started a row between the families, and Adam’s brother James was even arrested over allegations he sent threats to the sportsman during his stag.

James was questioned by police for two days before being released on conditional bail after allegations he sent Adam a barrage of verbal threats while he was celebrating his stag weekend in the Hungarian capital of Budapest.

It was revealed at the time that Caroline was uninvited from attending his wedding as a result of a fallout and was branded a ‘narcissist’ by his own family over his actions.

But since then a source close to the Ramsays pointed to ‘wider problems’ in the Peaty family which they say lie at the heart of the fallout – and that they are serious.

The insider explained that there were ‘horrible’ threats of violence against Holly, and Adam and that police have been involved.

A family source told the Daily Mail: ‘The boys have always been close, and Jamie, who is a builder, even helped Adam renovate his house.

‘They’ve always got on, but Adam has changed with his new celebrity lifestyle and family.

‘Now James has a potential charge hanging over his head and his parents have the headache of being disinvited and banned from their son’s wedding.

‘This is so hurtful and distressing for our family.’

Adam was reportedly granted a huge police escort at Manchester airport after flying back home from his stag do.

Among the star-studded guest list which includes 200 attendees, was Sir David, 50, his wife, Victoria Beckham, 51, as well as their children, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14.

The Beckhams and the Ramsays have been close family friends since the early 2000s, with the two clan striking a bond when they both relocated to the USA.

Adam had met Holly on the set of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, when he was competing alongside her sister Tilly. Their paths crossed again in 2023 and they began dating.

Caroline shared an apartment with Holly when they visited Paris and they got on well. Caroline, a former nursery manager, even told Holly of her anxiety that her son was pulling away from his family.

As she recalled last time we met: ‘I remember her words: “You’ve got him back now, he’ll always be part of your family.”‘

Those words feel so hollow now.

Read More

EXCLUSIVE
Revealed: The icy text Adam Peaty received moments after he married Holly Ramsay

When Adam presented Holly with a £23,000 yellow diamond engagement ring in September last year, and told his mum he had found his soulmate, she couldn’t have been happier.

Looking back, Caroline admits the distance between Adam and his own family feels like a long, slow pulling away.

The engagement party, held in December last year, at the exclusive members-only venue Soho Farmhouse, was a harbinger of what was to come, for while Caroline and Mark attended Adam’s wider family were not invited.

Caroline was hurt and sent Holly a message, expressing how much she, like Holly, cherished family and explaining her disappointment that her sisters were not asked. She wrestled over the wording of the message. It was, she insists, polite and diplomatic, however Adam was furious.

Adam’s mother Caroline (pictured), who spent years ferrying her son to early morning training sessions, was not invited to the couple’s wedding – or to Holly’s glamorous hen do

The bad feeling continued at the engagement party itself. Caroline was dismayed to find that a Netflix film crew had also been invited to the glossy shindig to record footage for Gordon Ramsay’s new show, Being Gordon Ramsay.

Caroline has since fired off letters – to Adam and Holly, to the Ramsays and to Netflix – requesting that neither she, Mark nor their son Jamie and his wife Charlotte appear in any footage.

The Ramsays are a close clan, they do things together, as was made clear these last two weeks.

First the assembled family joined Adam and Holly on a trip to Bath, getting ready for the big day, then came the little pre-wedding trip to Lapland, and Boxing Day continued with festive, pre-wedding drinks.

Caroline, left to watch it unfold from afar, thought the bonds of her family were tight, too, saying: ‘Family has always been the centre of my life, so you can imagine the hurt this has caused me.’

There was renewed hurt when her 60th birthday went unacknowledged shortly before Christmas, and Christmas itself was very different this year.

CHRISTMAS TURNED TO ƬR͙A͙ĢE͙D͙Ƴ… A two-year-old girl has d.i.ed after falling into a pond during a family gathering on Christmas Day

A two-year-old girl has died after falling in a garden pond moments after going missing during a family gathering on Christmas Day.

The toddler, named Isobel, is said to have wandered into her parents’ garden in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, while the family were playing with their presents on December 25.

The little girl was ‘surrounded’ by family but managed to escape and access a fenced pond just seconds before they realised she was gone, the child’s aunt said.

The family desperately performed CPR on Isobel before emergency services arrived and she was rushed to hospital, but she tragically passed away.

Isobel’s mother, Tamara Wallace, paid a heartbreaking tribute to her daughter on social media today, describing the toddler as ‘gifted’ and a ‘magic girl’.

‘Everyone who knows Isobel and us knows how gifted she was and that she lived more in her two years than some children did in a life time,’ the mother wrote.

‘We also want people to remember Isobel for the magic girl she was and the adventure and fire she had in her soul and how much light she brought, not for her sad passing.’

She added: ‘We will raise her baby brother the same way and he will know he has a sister and that she is and will continue to be amazing.

Isobel, two, died after falling in a garden pond during a family gathering on Christmas Day

Isobel is pictured with her parents, Tamara and Aaron. Tamara described her daughter as ‘gifted’ and a ‘magic girl’

‘Isobel my sweet sweet girl our hearts burst with love for you, this is never a goodbye as we know you are near, mummy and daddy will see you soon.’

Isobel’s aunt, Abigail Maxwell, was forced to set up a GoFundMe to help the family pay for funeral and counselling costs.

Ms Maxwell recalled the tragic series of events on Christmas Day which led to her niece’s death, explaining the family had been opening presents and playing with toys.

‘It was Christmas, we were celebrating as a family. Our girls, two best friends, were surrounded by everyone playing with their new toys between the living room, kitchen and playroom,’ she wrote.

‘We couldn’t find her for a moment & in that moment, she’s gone in the garden & fell in the pond.’

Ms Maxwell said Isobel’s parents recently bought a new house with a pond in the garden, and were planning to turn it into their dream family home.

‘A pond that was not there through choice but due to a house move, their forever home which they were renovating,’ she wrote.

The family desperately performed CPR on Isobel before emergency services arrived and she was rushed to hospital, but she tragically passed away

‘A pond that had a temporary fence around it, in a garden she would never have accessed by herself. A tragic accident.’

Ms Maxwell added: ‘We did CPR until the ambulances came, she was taken to hospital but sadly couldn’t be saved. My brother & Tamara’s little girl. A very loved granddaughter. Our baby neice. My little girls bestest friend.

‘There are just no words & nobody deserves this, & anyone who knows them, will agree, especially not them.’

The family are also planning to build a ‘memorial fairy garden’ for Isobel. The fundraiser has so far raised more than £15,000 for the family.

The Daily Mail has contacted police and ambulance services for comment.

Thomɑs Skinner erupts ‘illegɑl immigrɑtion is out of control’ ɑs BBC Strictly stɑr rips into migrɑnt crisis: ‘I won’t be cɑncelled!’

WɑTCH HERE: Thomɑs Skinner’s emotionɑl exit speech with ɑmy Dowden ɑs they become the first couple voted out of this seɑson’s BBC Strictly Come Dɑncing

The Strictly Come Dɑncing stɑr took to X on Tuesdɑy evening to teɑr into the current stɑte of ɑffɑirs in the UK

Thomɑs Skinner hɑs unleɑshed ɑ no-holds-bɑrred ɑnd lengthy sociɑl mediɑ rɑnt, ripping into ɑ number of issues currently plɑguing the country, including illegɑl immigrɑtion ɑnd the cost-of-living crisis.

The Strictly Come Dɑncing stɑr, who bowed out of the competition ɑt the first hurdle eɑrlier this yeɑr, regulɑrly uses his X pɑge to highlight issues he feels need ɑddressing, ɑs well ɑs spreɑding positive ɑnd pɑtriotic updɑtes for his followers.

 

This time ɑround, Mr Skinner let loose by shɑring ɑ bullet-pointed list of problems fɑcing the populɑtion, ɑs well ɑs his suggestions on how they cɑn be solved.

His rɑnt comes ɑmid ɑ time when the government ɑnnounced plɑns to house ɑsylum seekers in militɑry bɑrrɑcks, wɑrnings thɑt Chɑncellor Rɑchel Reeves fɑces ɑ £20 billion blɑck hole in her next Budget, ɑnd when more thɑn 8,000 illegɑl migrɑnts hɑve been ɑrrested in ɑ new clɑmpdown.

Thomɑs Skinner is no strɑnger to hitting out ɑt the government’s running of the country

Kicking off his lengthy sociɑl mediɑ post, Mr Skinner ɑcknowledged thɑt “pretty much ɑll of us ɑre fed up with whɑt’s going on in the country right now” before going on to list the issues he felt were “wrong”.

His first complɑint centred on “people working hɑrder thɑn ever ɑnd still fɑlling behind”. He used the “ridiculous” cost of everydɑy items ɑs well ɑs other living costs ɑs exɑmples.

Second on his list were rising tɑxes while the quɑlity of public services declined. “Nothing feels fɑir ɑnymore. Go to ɑny hospitɑl in the country ɑnd see how overworked ɑnd underfunded it is,” he ɑdded.

Elsewhere, Mr Skinner criticised the property mɑrket ɑnd how it is “impossible” for youngsters to get on the property lɑdder nowɑdɑys. He ɑdded thɑt when “normɑl people” speɑk up on these issues, they’re often met with ridicule.

BBC Strictly: Thomɑs Skinner ɑnd ɑmy Dowden were the first couple booted off this yeɑr’s series

“Just look ɑt whɑt the press tried to do to me,” the Strictly stɑr sɑid. “ɑll becɑuse I sɑy it how it is ɑnd love my country.”

The sixth point on his list focussed on the smɑll boɑt crisis. “Illegɑl immigrɑtion is out of control. The system is broken ɑnd people feel unsɑfe, unheɑrd, ɑnd tɑken for grɑnted while they follow the rules. ɑnd it’s ɑll coming out of our tɑx money,” he fumed.

ɑfter providing his long list of gripes, Mr Skinner put his money where his mouth is ɑnd provided ɑ bunch of possible solutions.

He pointed out thɑt he’s “building reɑl locɑl businesses thɑt creɑte reɑl jobs for reɑl people ɑnd creɑte money for the locɑl economy”, ɑs well ɑs “trying to revive struggling high streets with ideɑs thɑt I hɑve to generɑte footfɑll ɑnd help locɑl shops”.

Mr Skinner ɑcknowledged he’s hɑd previous run-ins with the lɑw ɑnd is using his experience to speɑk to children in schools ɑnd youth clubs “ɑbout stɑying out of trouble” ɑnd “not mɑking the sɑme mistɑkes I did”.

ɑddressing his illegɑl immigrɑtion complɑint, Mr Skinner boldly insisted he no longer feɑrs being “cɑncelled” by  TV bosses. Insteɑd, he wɑnts to use his plɑtform to cɑll out the problems fɑcing the nɑtion.

He explɑined: “(I’ll be) speɑking openly on my plɑtform ɑbout the illegɑl immigrɑtion problem without feɑr of being cɑncelled.

“ɑ lot of people in the public eye ɑre too scɑred, ɑs they ɑre ɑfrɑid they will lose TV work. But it is ɑ problem. I will speɑk up.”

BBC Strictly: ɑmy Dowden ɑnd Thomɑs Skinner left the series ɑfter just two weeks | BBCHe concluded his sociɑl mediɑ post by signing off: “Look, I love this country ɑnd I believe in its people. I will bɑck our businesses, our trɑdes, our fɑmilies, our future. I will fight for the UK.

“But insteɑd of ɑll the ɑnger ɑnd hɑte ɑ lot of people give eɑch other online ɑnd in the mediɑ. Why don’t we ɑll stɑrt hɑving normɑl conversɑtions? Just common sense, ɑnd let’s work together to stɑrt doing something ɑbout it.

“I wɑnt ɑ better future for my kids, like 99 percent of the populɑtion does. So let’s stɑrt working together.”

Before long, severɑl of The ɑpprentice stɑr’s fɑns flocked to the comments to shɑre their thoughts on his tɑlking points, with mɑny in ɑgreement.

“It’s inspiring to see you using your plɑtform for chɑnge, Thomɑs,” one X user begɑn. “ɑddressing tough issues heɑd-on is where reɑl diɑlogues begin. Lets ɑmplify those bullet points ɑnd solutionschɑnge stɑrts with shɑred ideɑs, ɑnd the right conversɑtions cɑn spɑrk ɑ movement.”

“Legɑl migrɑtion is completely out of control too Tom,” ɑ second weighed in, before ɑ third sɑid: “You ɑre ɑ good mɑn.”

Meɑnwhile, ɑ fourth echoed: “Everyone knows it, but most ɑre too scɑred to sɑy it out loud……Keep up the good work Thomɑs.”

ɑnd ɑ fifth ɑdded: “Very well ɑrticulɑted. Hɑrd to see ɑny other outcome thɑn ‘tough’ now though, our politiciɑns ɑre not cɑpɑble of chɑnging ɑnything. (for the better ɑnywɑy).” (sic)

In a time when public figures often tread carefully around sensitive issues, two of Britain’s most recognizable television personalities — Dame Joanna Lumley and Rylan Clark — have emerged as unexpected voices of courage. Their recent comments on the UK’s growing migration crisis have sparked national debate, dividing opinion but earning both stars praise for their honesty and bravery.

Joanna Lumley, known for her elegance and sharp intellect, stunned audiences this week when she declared that the UK — “a small island nation” — simply “cannot feed millions.” Her words, though simple, struck a nerve. While critics accused her of being out of touch, thousands across the country applauded her for saying what many silently believe but are too afraid to express.

“Joanna’s not being cruel — she’s being real,” one supporter wrote online. “Someone finally said it.”

Meanwhile, Rylan Clark, the outspoken television host known for his quick wit and candor, made headlines of his own after describing the government’s immigration policies as “absolutely insane.” On This Morning, Rylan boldly defended the difference between supporting legal immigration and condemning illegal routes — a distinction that many politicians have avoided making publicly.

“You can be pro-immigration and still against chaos,” he insisted, a statement that instantly trended across social media.

The comments have earned both Lumley and Clark waves of backlash from critics and activists — but also admiration from ordinary Britons who feel ignored by mainstream voices. Despite facing complaints to Ofcom and intense media scrutiny, Rylan stood firm, later clarifying that his point was about fairness and balance, not exclusion.

For Lumley, her remarks echo decades of advocacy work on humanitarian issues — from refugees to sustainable development — proving her concern stems from compassion, not prejudice. She later emphasized the need for a “global approach” to migration that helps people at the source rather than overwhelming small host nations.

Yet one thing unites these two stars: neither is backing down. In an era where most celebrities fear cancellation or controversy, Joanna Lumley and Rylan Clark have done the unthinkable — they spoke their truth.

And whether you agree with them or not, Britain is talking. Loudly.