Shaun Baxter, Jan Cyrka, Glenn Tipton (whom I assume he's british cause he played with Jan Cyrka, who is British, in Judas Priest)and Dave Sharman are all top British axe slingers but, like Allan Holdsworth, they're practically unknown. Nonetheless this lack of fame means ****, these guys are still reasonably well known at least amongst guitar player types.
As for Holdsworth, well, he's known worldwide amongst a small and particular crowd of jazz heads who recognise an amazing talent when they hear it. This guy's even more demoralising to hear than most of those neo-classical shred heads.
As for what's up, well, whatever it is I think it's world wide, people are rewarded now for looks, style, simple tunes with simpleton lyrics and whatever. Talent isn't financially rewarded.