Dave Myers, known as one half of the motorbike-riding TV cooking duo The Hairy Bikers, has passed away at the age of 66 after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago.
Myers, one half of the motorbike-riding TV cooking duo, was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.
Myers, hailing from Barrow-in-Furness, rose to prominence alongside Si King two decades ago. The duo, recognizable for their bearded appearance, embarked on journeys across the UK and abroad on their motorcycles, exploring diverse cuisines and preparing dishes from various locales. Reflecting on their enduring friendship, King expressed his profound sense of loss, stating that he will carry the memory of Myers with him each day.
Fellow celebrity chef James Martin honored him as “an exceptional individual” while The Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood expressed being “devastated” by the news.
Andi Oliver, host of The Great British Menu, expressed deep sorrow upon hearing the news, conveying her heartfelt sympathies: “I am deeply saddened by this news. My thoughts are with you all xx.”
Jay Rayner, a food critic, fondly remembered Myers as not only an exceptional cook and communicator but also as an incredibly kind individual.
Karen Hauer, who danced alongside Myers on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, shared her profound sadness, stating she was “heartbroken” by the news.
On Thursday, in a somber announcement, King conveyed, “It is with a heavy heart that I share some sorrowful news. Many of you are aware of Dave’s courageous battle against cancer over the past few years.”
He peacefully departed from this world at home on Wednesday, surrounded by his wife Lili, family, and cherished friends, as King penned.
The loss of Dave has deeply affected all who were acquainted with him. His cherished wife, along with her children, Iza and Sergiu, whom Dave embraced as his own, brought immense joy to his life.
Personally, I find it difficult to articulate my emotions at this time. My closest companion is embarking on a journey that I cannot presently accompany.
Every day, I will feel his absence and cherish the profound bond and friendship we cultivated over many years. Farewell, dear friend; your light will endure in this world and beyond. Until we meet again. With love.”
King expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received during Myers’ illness, extending heartfelt thanks to everyone who sent messages. “We are profoundly thankful for them,” he conveyed.
He further requested a kindness from all to grant Lili, Myers’ wife, family, close friends, and himself some time and space to navigate their significant loss. “I am confident we will reunite soon,” he expressed.
The latest installment of the duo’s series, The Hairy Bikers Go West, debuted this month, featuring their journey along the UK’s western coast.
In the initial episode, he shared with viewers his joy at being back on his motorcycle, considering it “a dream come true.” Reflecting on past challenges, he admitted, “There was a period where I struggled to balance, to walk. I never imagined I’d be back on a bike.”
Myers and King initially crossed paths in the 1990s and later gained widespread recognition as hosts of The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook on BBC TV starting in 2006.
The program featured their journeys through various countries such as Portugal, Romania, and Namibia.
Subsequent series included The Hairy Bikers Ride Again, The Hairy Bikers’ Food Tour of Britain, The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best, The Hairy Bikers’ Asian Adventure, and Hairy Bikers: Best of British.
The Hairy Bikers have authored over 30 recipe books, with sales exceeding six million copies. They chronicled their weight loss journey in the book “Hairy Dieters: How To Love Food And Lose Weight.” Additionally, Myers hosted a program named “The Hairy Builder,” focusing on historic buildings.
In a heartfelt tribute, BBC’s Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore expressed profound sadness at the news, remarking, “The BBC community mourns deeply upon hearing this news. Dave infused cooking with boundless joy, sharing his infectious enthusiasm with millions. He was adored by the public, and his special bond with Si endeared them to viewers, making each one feel like a cherished friend. Beyond his culinary expertise, Dave was simply a delightful person. Our hearts go out to his family and countless friends.”
Viewers also shared their condolences, with one reflecting, “Si and Dave played a significant role in my culinary journey, their recipes bringing immense joy to my family.” Another added, “Rest in peace, Dave. You and Si ignited my passion for cooking, shaping my culinary love profoundly.”
Myers developed a passion for food during his childhood, influenced by his mother who worked as a crane driver at the local shipyard and was also an exceptional cook. His father, who was the foreman of a paper mill, would often take him on fishing trips on the back of his motorbike.
However, when his mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the responsibility of grocery shopping and cooking fell on Myers at the age of 12. Together with his father, he became a young caregiver for his mother. Reflecting on those times during a BBC Radio 4 interview in 2019, Myers expressed the challenges they faced, noting the lack of support for young caregivers back then. He empathized with the struggles faced by young caregivers today.
During that period, Myers experienced alopecia, a condition doctors attributed to the stress of his mother’s illness.
“It’s ironic, being a Hairy Biker,” he remarked. “I had no hair, no eyebrows, no eyelashes.”
He remained mostly bald until his early forties when he underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his brain, which he believed might have been the root cause of his alopecia.
“My hair fully regrew as it is now with male pattern baldness. So that’s the tale of the unhairy Hairy Biker.”
After departing from his home, Myers pursued fine art studies at Goldsmiths in London before coming across an advertisement to train as a make-up artist at the BBC.
With minimal experience in make-up, he was surprised to land the job. “To my astonishment, I arrived for work and became the inaugural male make-up artist at Television Centre.”
His tenure lasted 23 years, during which he contributed to a variety of shows including Doctor Who and period dramas. He is reputed to have once applied the iconic white stripe on pop star Adam Ant’s face.
While working on the TV adaptation of Catherine Cookson’s The Gambling Man, Myers crossed paths with King, who held a position as a second assistant director.
Myers described the pair as having an instant connection and they soon embarked on road trips to explore diverse culinary experiences. It was during one of these trips that they conceived the idea of documenting their food adventures on film.
Approaching various producers they knew, they pitched their concept for a TV show, and from that moment forward, they never hesitated.
While filming The Hairy Bikers in Romania, Myers crossed paths with his future wife, Liliana Orzac, who happened to be managing the hotel.
Reflecting on his life, Myers once expressed that for many years, his greatest regret was not having children. However, upon marrying Liliana, he found immense joy in embracing her two stepchildren as his own, thus forming an instant family.
It’s with heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of this beloved star at the age of 66. Dave’s charismatic personality and passion for food captured the hearts of many around the world. From revving up their motorcycles on their culinary adventures to creating mouthwatering recipes, Dave and Si King brought a contagious energy to the food scene. Dave’s warm smile and unwavering enthusiasm will be dearly missed by fans everywhere.
He leaves behind a rich culinary legacy that continues to inspire and delight food enthusiasts around the globe. Let’s honor his memory by savoring the joy and excitement he brought to our screens. Rest in peace, Dave Myers.
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