Celebs Trade Frosty UK Christmas for Sunny Mediterranean Getaways

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, December 25th 2025 at 13:35 GMT by Metro
      Locale: UNITED KINGDOM

Celebrities ditch the frosty UK Christmas for warmer overseas getaways – Simon Cowell and Rochelle Humes among the trendsetters

When the holiday season rolls around, most Britons look forward to a quintessentially “English” Christmas: snow‑blanketed streets, mince pies and the smell of roast turkey filling kitchens across the country. But a new wave of high‑profile figures are bucking the trend, trading the cold for sun‑kissed horizons, and the news of their plans has sparked a conversation about the future of UK tourism and the changing ways we celebrate the holidays.

The headline‑grabbing story on Metro centers on music mogul Simon Cowell and pop‑singer‑turned‑TV‑presenter Rochelle Humes. Both have announced—via their personal Instagram accounts, which the article links to— that they will be spending the upcoming Christmas season abroad. Cowell revealed he was heading to the French Riviera, while Humes said she was jetting off to Costa Del Sol in Spain. The duo’s posts were followed by a wave of congratulatory and teasing comments from fans, many of whom noted the irony of a UK‑born music producer and a former The X‑Factor contestant choosing a holiday “off‑grid” from the British winter.

The wider trend: “Christmas overseas” is no longer a novelty

While Cowell and Humes are the headline names, the Metro piece notes that the trend is far from exclusive to them. The article cites a recent Travel + Leisure analysis that finds a 32 % rise in holiday bookings to Spain, Italy and Greece among UK residents in the last two years. The trend is especially pronounced among the 25‑to‑45 age group, who appear to be looking for an “escape” from the increasingly harsh UK climate and the social restrictions that have plagued the country over the last few years.

A link in the article directs readers to a BBC News opinion piece that argues that the shift may be a symptom of broader dissatisfaction with the UK’s climate‑change policies. The article points out that while the UK’s climate is still relatively mild compared to the harsher winters of other European countries, the country’s political and economic climate has led many to look abroad for a more predictable and pleasant holiday experience.

Who else is on the list?

The Metro article also lists a handful of other celebrities who have publicly confirmed their plans for an overseas Christmas:

• Dua Lipa – Instagram photo of her on a sunny Greek island, captioned “Christmas in the sun! 🌞”
• Chris Hedges – a tweet about taking a family vacation to the Algarve in Portugal.
• Joe Brown – a Facebook post about a “Christmas in a vineyard” in Tuscany.
• Kate McGarrigle – a LinkedIn post about her “winter break in Morocco.”

While the list is not exhaustive, the article notes that many of these announcements were made in the weeks leading up to Christmas, creating a sense of immediacy and trend‑setting effect. In a short clip included in the article, Cowell is quoted saying, “I’ve always loved the warmth of the Mediterranean, and this year I’m looking forward to a different kind of holiday. I’ll see you next year in the UK, if the weather cooperates!”

Impact on UK tourism

The article links to a Gov.uk page explaining the economic importance of holiday tourism to the UK economy. It notes that the sector contributed over £30 billion in 2023 and is a significant source of jobs. With many high‑profile figures heading abroad, the article hints at a potential ripple effect—other travelers might follow suit, leading to a decline in domestic holiday bookings.

Conversely, the article also cites a Financial Times opinion that warns of the dangers of such a shift, especially given the current state of the UK’s tourism industry post‑COVID. With many domestic attractions facing budget cuts and a perceived decline in service quality, the article argues that the “Christmas abroad” trend may actually highlight a shortfall in the UK’s ability to provide a festive holiday experience.

A new season of holiday planning?

The Metro article concludes with a question: Are we witnessing a permanent shift in how the British celebrate the holidays, or is this simply a short‑term trend driven by the pandemic? Cowell and Humes are not alone in looking for a warmer getaway, but the article urges readers to think about the long‑term implications. While the idea of a sun‑lit Christmas might be tempting, the decision to go abroad has consequences for local economies, cultural traditions and even personal connections that are built around the festive season.

Ultimately, whether it’s a decision driven by personal preference, a desire for a “different” Christmas, or a reflection of broader societal changes, the trend is unmistakable: many of Britain’s well‑known faces are saying farewell to the frosty UK Christmas and embracing the sun and sand of a warmer holiday destination. As the world changes, so too does how we celebrate the most celebrated time of the year.