Si King, one half of the beloved motorcycle-riding cooking duo, the Hairy Bikers, has spoken out about the profound impact of losing his co-presenter and best friend, Dave Myers. Myers, who passed away in February at the age of 66 after battling cancer, was an integral part of the Hairy Bikers’ charm and success.
A Heartfelt Tribute
In an emotional interview with The Observer, King opened up about the difficult journey of learning about Myers’ cancer diagnosis, losing his “best mate,” and contemplating his future without his long-time collaborator.
“There’s obviously the sense of losing your best mate,” King shared. “But there’s also a sense of loss in that the experiences we had together can’t go on.”
Learning of the Diagnosis
Myers announced he was undergoing chemotherapy in May 2022, though he never specified the type of cancer. King recounted the moment he learned of Myers’ diagnosis: “Dave called me. I had to pull over. I just couldn’t compute it. I must have sounded terrible. There was just a level of disbelief. And to be perfectly honest, I couldn’t get my head around it all the way through his fight.”
A Partnership of Positivity
King praised Myers’ relentless positivity throughout his battle with cancer. “What was wonderful about my mate Dave was that he absolutely embraced the moment,” King said. “He used to drive me mad. I’d tell him to say something negative for a bit, but he just loved being a Hairy Biker.”
The End of an Era
Reflecting on the future, King emphasized the irreplaceable bond he shared with Myers. “There is no Hairy Bikers without Dave. Because it’s plural,” he stated, underscoring the inseparable nature of their partnership.
Support and Gratitude
King expressed deep appreciation for The Observer, acknowledging the publication’s role in their early success. “The Observer really launched the Hairy Bikers. And it will end with them, too.”
He also highlighted the immense support Myers received from his wife, Liliana Orzac, and his stepchildren. “The reality was he just didn’t want to go. It was too soon,” King said. “He was looking forward to spending more time with his beloved Lili and his stepkids.”
Moving Forward
As for his future, King admitted to finding it challenging to envision life and work without Myers. “It’s only in the past couple of weeks that I’ve started to think about what I want to do,” he confessed. “We were a partnership, a double act.”
King hopes to continue engaging with the Hairy Bikers fanbase, expressing his desire to start a new journey with their support. “It would be incredibly churlish not to say thank you to our fanbase. I sincerely hope that whatever I do next they come with me and we start another journey together.”
Honoring Dave Myers
Earlier this month, thousands of motorcyclists traveled from London to Barrow-in-Furness, Myers’ hometown, to participate in the inaugural Dave Day, held in his honor. King and Liliana took the stage to thank attendees for their tribute.
The Hairy Bikers’ Legacy
Si King and Dave Myers met in 1995 on the set of a TV drama, forging a friendship that led to a successful career. Together, they published over 20 cookbooks and presented numerous shows, including The Hairy Bikers Ride Again, The Hairy Bikers’ Food Tour of Britain, The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best, and The Hairy Bikers’ Cook Off.
As King navigates the future, he does so with the spirit and memory of his best friend and co-adventurer, Dave Myers, at his side.
