No it isnt dead.... if there's green below the bark then it's still thriving. Not knowing where in the uk you are, I couldn't possibly say whether the recent heatwave we've been having at my latitude is what you have also been experiencing. Nor do you state whether it is outside or under cover. But from my experience, they can be slower to leaf up than say other plants that come from warmer climbs, but can tolerate our climate, like vines.

Welcome to GOY Pauline, i think you will just need to be patient a little longer. If there is green on the stems it should come away.

If it's in a pot, give it a light feed to wake it up. Patience and heat are the keys, otherwise.