Hairy Bikers' loving friendship - comedy first meeting to nursing through cancer
Dave Myers and Simon King became known as the loveable Hairy Bikers - the bearded duo who travelled across much of the world on their motorcycles to cook together.
Their names were synonymous and after half a lifetime of adventures by each other's side, when Dave took his tragic final breath before he tragically passed away on Wednesday night, Si was right by his side.
At the age of 66, he died after being diagnosed with cancer, something he first shared in 2022. The TV chef never specified what type of cancer he had, admitting he didn't want speculation, but confirmed that was undergoing chemotherapy in May that year.
The chefs travelled the world on their bikes (BBC/South Shore Productions/Jon Boast)Announcing Dave's death on social media, Si said he "will miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime." Poignantly, he penned: "I am not sure I can put into words on how I feel at the moment. My best friend is on a journey that for now, I can't follow."
He added in a statement to X, formerly Twitter: "I wish you god's speed brother; you are and will remain a beacon in this world. See you on the other side. Love ya."
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Following his cancer treatment, Dave praised his "amazing" fellow Hairy Biker. In an interview in October 2022, where he said he was "doing alright", he reflected on how "indispensable" Si had been in helping him with his recovery. Their friendship went beyond cooking co-stars. Si helped his best friend through every step of his cancer journey, taking him to hospital and batch-cooking meals for his freezer.
Dave told BBC Breakfast how Si had been making him his favourite comfort food. He said: "There was one day when I was poorly and he came round to our house and made me mince and dumplings, but he does it properly.
"You know, when the bottom of the dumplings are just soft, the top of the dumplings are crusty, and I really… I remember that with mashed potato. That was lovely. There was a freezer full and that was great."
The pair first met in the 1990s on the set of a Catherine Cookson TV drama, The Gambling Man, when they bonded instantly over their love of a pub lunch and a pint. Speaking about their comical encounter, Si told the Independent: "I was the second assistant director and Dave was head of prosthetics, hair and make-up. At lunch most of the crew were ordering salads and mineral water at the local pub, while I was having a curry and two pints of larger.
The Hairy Bikers travelled the world together on their cooking adventures (BBC)"When Dave came in he took one look at my lunch and went, 'I'll have what he's having!' Pretty quickly we discovered that we both loved eating, drinking and motorcycling." They soon went on to become household names while presenting the Hairy Bikers' Cookbook on BBC TV from 2004.
The toured the UK on their bikes with subsequent shows such as the Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain, and produced more than 30 accompanying books together. Following Dave's diagnosis, he was forced to take time off from work before filming his last show with Si, which saw them travel west across Britain from Scotland to Devon.
Si previously said that the series, The Hairy Bikers Go West, which is airing on BBC Two, would be one they would "always remember". "We are very privileged to do what we do and I think this one was particularly special in general because of Dave's health and his sheer and utter determination and love for what he does," he added.
Si cooked Dave his favourite meals as he underwent cancer treatment"Especially to continue to do it while he was having treatment took remarkable courage and energy – and adds to why Dave and I will not forget it." The 57-year-old presenter said the travelogue was "a celebration of a joyous and creative friendship" and he was happy they returned to his co-presenter's original home of Lancashire during the series.
Meanwhile last November, King told BBC Breakfast that their more than 30-year friendship came "naturally" to them as they were "good mates" and "part each other's families".
Like famous presenting duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, they also always stood in the same order, with Dave to Si's left - as was the case on their first ever TV show. Eventually, they even started walking down the road in that way. "It's got to the point where it feels uncomfortable the other way round," Dave told the Guardian. Si added: "We're brothers to each other, really. It transcends friendship."
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The pair had also been through health battles before, with Si suffering a brain aneurysm in 2014. Two years earlier, they'd been on a health kick as a duo and even published a healthy eating cookbook inspired by their weight loss. It was this, Si said, that helped him recover.
He told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "In aneurysms high blood pressure is an issue so if I hadn't lost all that weight with Dave in 2012, I probably wouldn't have survived. Back then we started losing weight because a doctor friend said: 'Look lads, you are middle-aged now and morbidly obese. You need to do something about it.' That was a wake-up call for us."
In a statement about Dave's passing, Si added: "I know Dave and his family would want me to thank all of you who sent messages of support in recent times. It meant the world to him, his family and all The Hairy Bikers team. I am sending you all much love and gratitude for those simple acts of kindness, generosity and spirit. We are eternally grateful for them.
"May I ask you all for one further kindness and allow Lili, his wife, his family, close friends and I some time and some peace to process our huge loss. I am sure I will see you all soon."
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