Hairy Bikers star Si King opens up about heartbreaking death of pal Dave Myers and admits he wanted to quit
THE HAIRY Bikers star Si King has opened up on his personal “struggle” after the death of his co-star best mate Dave Myers.
The BBC star tragically passed away aged 66 in February following a battle with cancer, after being diagnosed in 2022.
Now, eight months on, chef and cookbook author Si, 57, has opened up on his grief.
In the immediate aftermath, he told fans the Hairy Bikers was over and admitted it “can’t go on.”
In an emotional interview with The Times he said: “I’ll be honest with you, the past few months have been a struggle.
“More than once I was on the verge of jumping on my bike and heading into the sunset.
“Not tell anyone where I was going. Just clear off and never come back.
“Other times I was raging.
“Raging at that bloody disease, at God and anything else I could think of.”
Talking of the pair’s telly show, which Dave continued to film during his illness, he added to the publication: “Oh God, that last series was by far the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do in my entire life.
“The crew felt it too; some of whom had been with us since the start.
“All of us trying to carry on as normal, trying not to lose it.”
He continued: “Some days it felt quite surreal, as though it wasn’t really happening.
“I just kept thinking: it’s not fair, it’s not bloody fair.”
ALL CHANGE
In June, Si admitted their foodie series couldn’t continue after Dave’s death.
He told how it would not be “respectful” if he were to continue as the Hairy Bikers on his ow.
The Hairy Bikers - Looking back on their career
Dave Myers and Si King, collectively known as the Hairy Bikers, were a popular presenting and cooking duo for 20 years. Sadly, Dave lost his battle with cancer in February 2024. Let's take a look back at the pair's TV journey.
- The Hairy Bikers Cookbook (2004-2008, BBC Two)
- The Hairy Bikers’ Food Tour of Britain (2009, BBC Two)
- Strictly Come Dancing (Dave took part in 2013, BBC One)
- The Hairy Bikers’ Asian Adventure (2014, BBC Two)
- The Hairy Bikers: Route 66 (2019, BBC Two)
- The Hairy Go North (2021, BBC Two)
Speaking to The Guardian, Si said of his next career move: “It can’t be the Hairy Bikers 2.0.
“That’s not going to happen. It wouldn’t be respectful.”
A month later, he left fans in tears as he updated his fans on his trip to France.
He used the term Kingy in his image caption – and fans confessed they couldn’t stop hearing it said in Dave’s voice.
The pair’ first series, The Hairy Bikers‘ Cookbook, ran from 2004 to 2008 on BBC Two.
Follow-up outings included The Hairy Bikers’ Food Tour of Britain, The Hairy Bikers’ Asian Adventure and The Hairy Go North.
In 2013, Dave ventured into the world of dance and reality TV competition.
He competed on that year’s edition of Strictly Come Dancing, alongside the likes of Deborah Meaden, Rachel Riley and eventual winner Abbey Clancey.
Dave partnered with Venzeulan-American ballroom dancer Karen Hauer, who has since become the show’s longest serving professional performer.