Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers dies on the age of 66

Hairy Biker Dave Myers has died on the age of 66, his heartbroken co-star Si King revealed immediately as household, mates and colleagues paid emotional tributes to the beloved TV star.

The chef introduced he was receiving remedy for most cancers in May 2022 and bravely stored the general public updated together with his progress in a sequence of emotional TV specials.

He died on Wednesday together with his household and mates by his facet, colleague and lifelong pal Si revealed.

Strictly dancer Karen Hauer – who Dave partnered on the present in 2013 – stated she was ‘heartbroken’ by the information as she posted a damaged coronary heart emoji.

Devastated followers paid tribute to the unlikely star, who first appeared on our screens in 2006 alongside his TV companion and racked up greater than 30 separate tasks, additionally promoting 6million copies of their 30 cookery books. 

In his heart-wrenching assertion Si stated: ‘Hi everybody, I’m afraid I bear some unhappy information.

‘Most of you’ll know Dave has been combating most cancers for the previous couple of years.

‘Last night time, on twenty eighth February 2024, with Lili, Dave’s spouse, his household, shut pal David and myself by his facet, he handed away peacefully at residence.

‘All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing. His beloved spouse introduced him such happiness as did her kids, Iza and Sergiu who Dave liked like his personal.

‘Personally, I’m not certain I can put into phrases on how I really feel in the mean time.

‘My finest pal is on a journey that for now, I can not comply with. I’ll miss him day by day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime.

‘I want you god’s velocity brother; you’re and can stay a beacon on this world. See you on the opposite facet. Love ya.’

The beloved duo first met once they had been each working within the movie business – Dave as a make-up artist and Si as a places director – and bonded over their love of meals and motorbikes.

Over their profession the very best mates constructed up a popularity because the pleasant faces of TV cooking, with 31 separate tasks since they first debuted on the BBC in 2006.

The assertion continued: ‘I do know Dave and his household would need me to thank all of you who despatched messages of assist in latest instances.

‘It meant the world to him, his household and all The Hairy Bikers group.

‘I’m sending you all a lot love and gratitude for these easy acts of kindness, generosity and spirit. We are eternally grateful for them.

‘May I ask you all for one additional kindness and permit Lili, his spouse, his household, shut mates and I a while and a few peace to course of our large loss.

‘I’m certain I’ll see you all quickly.’

Following his analysis, Myers briefly took a break from work earlier than filming his final present with King, which sees them journey west throughout Britain from Scotland to Devon. 

King beforehand stated that the sequence, The Hairy Bikers Go West, which is airing on BBC Two, can be one they’d ‘at all times bear in mind’. 

The subsequent episode of the sequence is about to air on March 5, with weekly reveals persevering with till March 19. 

Over Christmas, Dave left followers sobbing in a TV particular as he requested a crowd of friends: ‘Shall we do that once more subsequent 12 months? I hope so!’

In an emotional speech after, he added: ‘I sincerely admire each ounce of affection, each chew of meals and good friendship. It has been among the best days of my life.

‘To sit there with Lil, to look down at individuals – it is particular, you recognize. I need extra now!

‘I need to get again on it, you recognize. I’ve nonetheless obtained one thing left in me!’

In a courageous replace on the present he defined how his well-known hair and beard had fallen out by his second spherical of chemotherapy.

Si stated that this was the purpose the place it ‘obtained actually actual’ for him, as photographs of the star confirmed the stunning change.

Dave continued: ‘It actually is kind of radical – it is not a gradual form of moulting. Your hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard. Everything simply goes.

‘It was all about survival. Getting by way of from one week to the subsequent.’

Reacting to the information, BBC chief content material officer Charlotte Moore stated: ‘Everyone on the BBC is extremely unhappy to listen to this information.

‘Dave made cooking a very joyful journey and he shared that pleasure with hundreds of thousands.

‘The public liked him and his distinctive partnership with Si. Together they made each viewer really feel like a pal.

‘More than that he was merely a stunning man. Our ideas exit to his household and lots of mates.’

As nicely as his cooking adventures, Myers was well-known for his warm-hearted look on Strictly in 2013, the place he partnered with Karen Hauer.

In one significantly memorable efficiency Myers did a cha cha routine to Maroon 5 music Moves Like Jagger.

TV chef Paul Hollywood stated he was ‘gutted’ to listen to Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers had died aged 66. 

he left the viewers in stitches with exaggerated strikes in a flamboyant silver shirt, earlier than taking Hauer by the leg and pulled her alongside the dancefloor. 

His energetic dances had been memorable for his or her exuberance and then-judge Bruno Tonioli praised him for being ‘entertaining’ however he ended up being booted off whereas doing a tango to I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers half approach by way of the sequence. 

Before his most cancers analysis, Dave and Si had been open about their very own well being points – shedding six stone between them on The Hairy Dieters: How to Love Food and Lose Weight in 2012.

Commenting on the announcement publish shared by Myers’ co-star Si King on Instagram, the Great British Bake Off choose stated: ‘Gutted Si, that is horrible information! Love to all mate xx.’ 

The Hairy Bikers’ publishers Orion Books remembered Dave Myers as ‘brilliantly inspiring and type’. 

An announcement stated: ‘We are devastated to listen to of Dave Myers’ passing and ship our heartfelt condolences to his household and mates. 

‘We are immensely proud to have revealed the Hairy Bikers for over 14 years and can really miss Dave’s infectious vitality and fervour for meals and journey. 

‘There was by no means a boring second working with Dave, and all who had been fortunate sufficient to take action will attest to what a brilliantly inspiring and type and hardworking man he was. 

‘This is a big loss, and all our love goes out to Si, Lil and Dave’s wider household presently.’ 

Myers was married to Liliana Orzac, whom he met whereas filming Hairy Bikers in Romania, and was a stepfather to her two kids, Iza and Sergiu, from a earlier relationship.

In a publish to her mates, Liliana opened up about her ‘fears’ and ‘exhaustion’ simply days earlier than Dave’s dying.

Posting an image of an opulent toilet, she spoke of how essential self care is when you find yourself going by way of tough instances.

The coach and hypnotherapist stated: ‘Is taking a sizzling bathtub going to clean away all the issues, dylemas, fears or exhaustion? No, after all not!

‘But… it’s very a lot a part of a self care motion. Soooo…. I’m off to have a sizzling bubble bathtub! And I encourage you all to do small or massive belongings you get pleasure from in direction of your wellbeing!’

In an emotional remark, she added: ‘Hard day immediately, so I’m having fun with a small pamper.’

Dave and Liliana stored their private life extremely personal after they tied the knot again in 2011 on the star’s hometown in Barrow, Cumbria.

But thanking his carers with a particular Christmas dinner as a part of a Hairy Bikers episode this Christmas, he opened up about simply how very important Liliana had been to his care.

Speaking about his most cancers analysis, he stated: ‘It impacts on the household. It’s so tough for my spouse and household you recognize, that not realizing, your future is totally turned the wrong way up.

‘And additionally I feel for my spouse as nicely, it gave her some freedom away from me. I felt good about having the ability to let her have time to herself, albeit to go to the fitness center or a spa, simply to have a few of her time, as a result of it has been so all-encompassing.’ 

Another publish confirmed that Si and Dave had been energetic mates nicely into the final month of his life, with photographs displaying the pair gently watching their last sequence collectively. 

BBC chef James Martin – who has repeatedly cooked with the duo – added: ‘I’m misplaced for phrases, a really particular man.’

TV chef Andi Oliver stated her ‘coronary heart goes out’ to Dave Myers’ household and his co-star Si King following the information of his dying. 

Commenting on the announcement publish on the Hairy Bikers Instagram, the Great British Menu host wrote: ‘Oh Si!! I’m so so unhappy to listen to this unhappy information x 

‘My coronary heart goes out to you all xx’ 

Actor Robson Green has paid tribute to Dave Myers for having a ‘heat smile, hearty snort, and real love’. 

Hairy Biker Myers and his long-standing co-host Si king met on the set of Catherine Cookson’s The Gambling Man, which starred Green. 

In an Instagram publish, the Wire In The Blood star wrote: ‘Rest in peace expensive Friend. David’s heat smile, hearty snort, and real love for individuals weren’t simply the substances of his success however a mirrored image of his zest for all times. 

‘His presence brightened our screens and his coronary heart and soul impressed all who knew him and lots of others to embrace the straightforward pleasures of sharing a meal with family members. 

‘May his spirit proceed to dwell on within the hearts of all who had the privilege and honour of being in his presence. RIP David Myers. All my like to you @hairybikers Simon at this extremely difficult time.’ 

The official BBC Food account additionally hailed Myers as a ‘great man and a really proficient chef’. 

TV presenter and stylist Gok Wan additionally described it as a ‘horrible and heartbreaking loss’ on the publish. 

‘Sending all my like to Dave’s household and mates. RIP Dave’, he added. 

On the most recent episode of The Hairy Bikers Go West, Dave and Si explored Lancashire.

During their journey, the pair grew to become reflective with Simon expressing his pleasure that they had been again in motion once more.

He stated: ‘It’s nice getting again right here with my finest mate. We did not assume 18 months in the past that we might be on the bikes once more wandering round Dave’s yard and it is great that we’re.’

Dave briefly took a break from work earlier than filming the most recent present, which sees them journey west throughout Britain from Scotland to Devon.

Earlier this month Si thanked Dave for making their newest sequence particular, after having the ability to return to filming.

Si stated: ‘It’s a sequence that we’ll at all times bear in mind, not that we can’t bear in mind others.

‘We are very privileged to do what we do and I feel this one was significantly particular generally due to Dave’s well being and his sheer and utter dedication and love for what he does.

‘Especially to proceed to do it whereas he was having remedy took exceptional braveness and vitality – and provides to why Dave and I can’t neglect it.’

County Durham-born Si additionally stated there’s a ‘pretty second on the primary day of filming the place Dave overtook me on the street on the bikes’, displaying that it was ‘identical to previous instances’.

He added: ‘Over the comms he was going, ‘Kingy, are you certain we’re going left right here?’. That form of dialogue was nice and it is what we have carried out over the past 20 years. It was actually fairly emotional.’

Born in Barrow-in-Furness, Myers’ huge number of abilities helped him get pleasure from many alternative experiences throughout his life.

As a pupil he labored in a steelworks to assist finance his research in high-quality arts.

He later joined the BBC as a make-up artist, specialising in prosthetics.

In 1995, Myers met his long-time co-presenter King on the set of a TV drama, they usually went on to construct a friendship and profitable profession collectively.

Their mixture of driving their bikes to places the world over and cooking up a storm as they went earned them a loyal following.

The pair additionally received over viewers with their cheeky northern humour and enthusiasm.

Their first present, The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, was launched on the BBC in 2006 and noticed them experience throughout nations together with Portugal, Romania and Namibia, tasting the native delicacies and experimenting with making it themselves.

The bearded duo went on to movie many different sequence and specials for the broadcaster, searching for out new dishes in nations akin to India, Vietnam, Argentina and Mexico.

They additionally sampled cuisines of locations nearer to residence, akin to Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Across their profession they revealed greater than 30 cookbooks collectively.

Myers additionally competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 alongside skilled dancer Karen Hauer.

After performing dances together with the salsa, jive and paso doble, the pair had been voted off the competitors in week seven.

He additionally appeared as a visitor on a bunch of reveals together with Sunday Brunch, Countdown, Would I Lie To You?, All Star Family Fortunes and The Weakest Link.

In November, King advised BBC Breakfast that their greater than 30-year friendship got here ‘naturally’ to them as they had been ‘good mates’ and ‘half one another’s households’.

Myers additionally recalled through the interview that King had cooked him his favorite consolation meals of mince and dumplings whereas he was being handled for most cancers.

At the time, the TV chef stated he had been ‘actually having fun with life’ as he had obtained again to driving his bike and filming together with his ‘finest mate’.

Myers had beforehand spoken about different well being struggles, together with discovering he had glaucoma – an eye fixed situation that may result in blindness.

In 2018, he revealed he had initially dismissed the situation as a foul hangover.

He had additionally opened up about shedding pounds by way of the years by slicing out carbs and alcohol in a bid to turn into more healthy.

For a BBC Two sequence, A Cook Abroad, Myers needed to journey to Egypt with out King after he suffered a mind aneurysm in 2014, which his co-presenter later stated he was solely in a position to survive due to appreciable weight reduction.

The Hairy Bikers star whose abilities had been solid in tragedy: How Dave Myers discovered to cook dinner aged 11 as a result of his mom had MS, joined BBC as a make-up artist…and was offered a dodgy motorcycle by Si King once they first met on set of a TV drama 

By HARRY HOWARD

Dave Myers‘ love affair with cooking started not on TV or within the kitchens of prime eating places, however at residence.

It was there that the 11-year-old future Hairy Biker started making meals for his household after his mom fell sick with a number of sclerosis. 

Myers, who has died aged 66 after a battle with most cancers, honed his culinary abilities amidst the heartbreak of Margaret’s decline. 

He beforehand advised the Mail how he concocted ‘difficult salads with every kind of substances’, while different dishes had been made with slightly an excessive amount of garlic. 

At the age of 17, Myers was hit by a second tragedy when his father was struck down by a debilitating stroke.

After combating the duty of caring for them each, the presenter was pressured to ship his mom into hospital, and he or she by no means returned. 

Myers started his media profession as a make-up artist on the BBC, earlier than he met fellow chef Simon ‘Si’ King, who offered him what he referred to as the ‘worst motorcycle you might have ever seen.’

Their first present, The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, was launched on the BBC in 2006 and noticed them experience throughout nations together with Portugal, Romania and Namibia, tasting the native delicacies and experimenting with making it themselves.

King stated he ‘will miss him day by day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime’ as he introduced Myers’ dying on social media.

‘I want you god’s velocity brother; you’re and can stay a beacon on this world. See you on the opposite facet. Love ya,’ he added in an announcement to X, previously Twitter.

He additionally thanked well-wishers for sending messages of assist to Myers, saying: ‘It meant the world to him, his household and all The Hairy Bikers group’.

Following his analysis, Myers briefly took a break from work earlier than filming his final present with King, which sees them journey west throughout Britain from Scotland to Devon.

King beforehand stated that the sequence, The Hairy Bikers Go West, which is airing on BBC Two, can be one they’d ‘at all times bear in mind’.

‘We are very privileged to do what we do and I feel this one was significantly particular generally due to Dave’s well being and his sheer and utter dedication and love for what he does’, he added.

‘Especially to proceed to do it whereas he was having remedy took exceptional braveness and vitality – and provides to why Dave and I can’t neglect it.’

The 57-year-old presenter stated the travelogue was ‘a celebration of a joyous and artistic friendship’ and he was completely happy they returned to his co-presenter’s authentic residence of Lancashire through the sequence.

Born in Barrow-in-Furness, Myers’ huge number of abilities helped him get pleasure from many alternative experiences throughout his life.

As a pupil he labored in a steelworks to assist finance his research in high-quality arts.

He later joined the BBC as a make-up artist, specialising in prosthetics.

In 1995, Myers met his long-time co-presenter King on the set of a TV drama, they usually went on to construct a friendship and profitable profession collectively.

Their mixture of driving their bikes to places the world over and cooking up a storm as they went earned them a loyal following.

The pair additionally received over viewers with their cheeky northern humour and enthusiasm.

After their first present, the bearded duo went on to movie many different sequence and specials for the BBC, searching for out new dishes in nations akin to India, Vietnam, Argentina and Mexico.

They additionally sampled cuisines of locations nearer to residence, akin to Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Across their profession they revealed greater than 30 cookbooks collectively.

Myers additionally competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 alongside skilled dancer Karen Hauer.

After performing dances together with the salsa, jive and paso doble, the pair had been voted off the competitors in week seven.

He additionally appeared as a visitor on a bunch of reveals together with Sunday Brunch, Countdown, Would I Lie To You?, All Star Family Fortunes and The Weakest Link.

In November, King advised BBC Breakfast that their greater than 30-year friendship got here ‘naturally’ to them as they had been ‘good mates’ and ‘half one another’s households’.

Myers additionally recalled through the interview that King had cooked him his favorite consolation meals of mince and dumplings whereas he was being handled for most cancers.

At the time, the TV chef stated he had been ‘actually having fun with life’ as he had obtained again to driving his bike and filming together with his ‘finest mate’.

Myers had beforehand spoken about different well being struggles, together with discovering he had glaucoma – an eye fixed situation that may result in blindness.

In 2018, he revealed he had initially dismissed the situation as a foul hangover.

He had additionally opened up about shedding pounds by way of the years by slicing out carbs and alcohol in a bid to turn into more healthy.

For a BBC Two sequence, A Cook Abroad, Myers needed to journey to Egypt with out King after he suffered a mind aneurysm in 2014, which his co-presenter later stated he was solely in a position to survive due to appreciable weight reduction.

Myers was married to Liliana Orzac, whom he met whereas filming Hairy Bikers in Romania, and was a stepfather to her two kids, Iza and Sergiu, from a earlier relationship.