TV chef Si King has opened up about the challenges he has faced following the death of his close friend and Hairy Bikers co-star, Dave Myers, who passed away in February at the age of 66 after battling cancer.
Myers revealed his cancer diagnosis in 2022 and underwent chemotherapy, but his passing has left King, his companion of 30 years, grappling with loss.
In a heartfelt piece for The Sunday Times, King, 57, shared how the past few months have been difficult, admitting that at times he considered leaving everything behind.
“More than once I was on the verge of jumping on my bike and heading into the sunset,” he wrote, explaining that he contemplated disappearing without telling anyone.
His feelings of anger were raw, directed at cancer, at God, and at the unfairness of life.
Despite his grief, King said he has decided to move forward, following what he believes Myers would have wanted.
“Move forward, don’t dwell on the past,” he said, acknowledging that Myers would have urged him to keep going.
The pair’s strong bond, built over decades, started when they met in 1992 on the set of The Gambling Man, a TV drama.
Their shared love for motorcycles and food sealed their friendship over a tandoori chicken masala, four poppadoms, and three pints of lager.
Their first TV appearance together, The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, aired in 2004 and featured the duo riding motorcycles across Portugal while cooking and exploring the local culture.
King also reminisced about a particularly memorable moment the two shared while camping in Namibia, where they had a spiritual experience looking up at the galaxy under the African sky.
These memories, King reflected, are among the many that will continue to define their remarkable partnership.
King revealed that he is now working on an anthology of classic Hairy Bikers recipes and has some new projects in the pipeline.
He emphasized that he’s content with whatever the future brings, even if it’s just making bacon sandwiches and playing music with his band.
He described the last series they filmed together, after Myers’ diagnosis, as “the most difficult thing” he’s ever done.
Yet, despite Myers’ visible illness, his fighting spirit remained intact when the cameras rolled.
In June, thousands of motorcyclists gathered in Myers’ hometown, Barrow-in-Furness, for the inaugural Dave Day, a memorial ride honoring the late TV chef.
King shared that he was deeply touched by the outpouring of support for his dear friend.
As King looks ahead, he remains grateful for the legacy the Hairy Bikers left behind.
“Just two regular blokes, having a go at beef rendang or apple pie,” he said, proud of how they connected with audiences who may not have otherwise tuned in to traditional cooking shows.
While he will miss the magic of their partnership, King expressed excitement for the future and what lies ahead for him.
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