Dave Myers' cancer fight and terrifying health battle he dismissed as a hangover
The heartbreaking news of Dave Myers' death on Thursday morning has left his friends and fans utterly shattered.
Si King, Dave's Hairy Bikers co-star and best friend, announced the devastating news on their social media page, sharing that he had died on Wednesday night surrounded by his wife, family and friends at the age of 66. Si said that he "couldn't put into words how [he] feels".
"My best friend is on a journey that for now, I can’t follow. I will miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime. I wish you god’s speed brother; you are and will remain a beacon in this world," he said. He went on to say that Dave and his family would want to thank everyone who sent him messages of support in recent times.
Dave has spoken openly about his past health struggles over the years. In 1998 he suffered from migraines and memory loss and, following a scan, doctors discovered a shadow on his brain. Despite Dave's fears, it was revealed to be a benign arachnoid cyst - not a malignant tumour - and was successfully drained via emergency surgery. In 2014, he suffered from a brain aneurysm, which he later said he was only able to survive due to considerable weight loss. He later discovered that he had glaucoma, an eye condition that can lead to blindness, and in 2018 explained that he had originally dismissed the condition as a bad hangover.
The TV star first revealed that he was undergoing cancer treatment in 2022, but didn't specify what type of cancer he had. Speaking about the reason why he had decided to keep that private, he told the Guardian that year that it was “because everybody then goes Googling, everybody becomes an amateur doctor … And I don’t want to be judged – yet". He addded that the best way to describe it was a "huge inconvenience".
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Dave Myers and Si King's friendship lasted a lifetime (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Dave has sadly died aged 66 (PA Archive)He underwent a gruelling 30 rounds of chemotherapy over the year and in April 2023, reunited with Si during an emotional moment on This Morning with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield. Before they started their cooking segment, Phil asked how Dave was. Speaking on the show, he said: "I'm doing very well, it's so nice to be back. It's work in progress but I've got my hair back and it's great. It's the healthy eating [making me look well]," as Phil said it was lovely to have him back.
In June 2023 told The Times: "I’m doing all right. It’s a work in progress. We’ve had some hard years but this one’s been… I’ve had 30 lots of chemo, spread over three weeks and then a week off. It’s going the right way.” He appeared to be positive about his condition, adding that his doctors believed they could turn the last bit of cancer “off with radiotherapy”. "So that’s five sessions every other week and then I go film in Scotland for two weeks, then go back on chemo, but that’ll be twice a month."
The pair went on to film travel series, The Hairy Bikers Go West, which will saw them journey from Scotland to Devon across eight episodes. The episodes are currently airing on BBC Two.
Si said at the time that it was "very difficult to verbalise" his distress at talking about his friend's condition. “There’s a sense of loss, but there’s also that sense of hope, you know, knowing my mate as I do. He’s a scrapper. He’s a fighter,” he said. “But there were certain points that I thought, ‘Where’s it going to go? What is happening to my friend?'”
Dave had to learn to walk again after his gruelling chemotherapy treatment (BBC)At times, Dave had explained that his treatment had made him too ill to walk and unable to ride his motorbike, while his hair and eyelashes fell out. However, Dave said that while filming his hair had grown back and was "better than it was before chemo".
In August 2023, Dave and Si announced that they were taking a "well-earned break" after a "busy year" filming and recording their Agony Uncles podcast. Taking to Instagram, they told their 264,000 followers: “Those hardworking Agony Uncles are taking a well-earned break which gives us the chance to look back on a busy year of problem-solving.
Over the months following the chemo, Dave had learned to walk and ride his bike, hailing being back on his beloved motor as a milestone moment in his recovery. He said: “It’s been hard but I’m not the only one and I’m getting through it and I’m back at work. I’ve had to learn to walk again and ride my bike again, and to get on my bike again with Kingy in the sunshine brought tears to both our eyes.”
As their show returned to screens this month, Dave and Si were seen quietly reflecting on the last year of their lives. Dave took the moment to discuss the normality of their activity, saying: "You know, Si, my experience over the past 18 months has made me realise, certainly this time last year, that to do something like this, what I had previously regarded as normal, would be an unachievable dream. You know, I longed for this. But what I worry about sometimes is that I didn't appreciate the normality I had. I do now. But cancer, there's nothing that kicks you in the teeth like that."
He was ecstatic at being able to get back on his bike (BBC/South Shore Productions/Jon Boast)Si said: "Because it's an instant check-in with your own mortality. as well, isn't it, and all the things that you hold dear? It must be really difficult, really difficult." Dave then urged: "One thing I would say is, one has to live for today, you know? Don't live for tomorrow because you don't know what's around the corner. It could be an absolute double-decker bus. Live for today and don't worry so much."
The star also discussed how he tended to worry about the 'daft stuff' but tried to put things into perspective following the diagnosis. He explained to his pal: "You know, talk about the light at the end of the tunnel, being here today with you it's not just light mate, it's a bloody searchlight."
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Fans had taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on the touching moment, with one writing: "How wonderful to see you back on the box, and Dave looking so well…. You lifted my spirits this evening guys…" While another commented: "I absolutely adore Si and Dave's genuine love for each other. Massive kudos to Dave for the fight back from his cancer. Both are awesome real men. Oh, and gorgeous bikes."
Dave leaves behind his wife Lilli and her children Iza and Sergiu, who he loved like his own.
*The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.
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