The touching finale to an enduring 30-year-friendship: As Dave Myers' heartbreaking final scenes are aired on final episode of Hairy Bikers, how he forged unbreakable bond with co-star Si King who sold him a dodgy motorbike on set of TV drama
When Hairy Biker Dave Myers passed away from cancer last month, it was his best friend Si King who led the tributes.
King said he 'will miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime' as he announced Myers' death on social media.
'I wish you god's speed brother; you are and will remain a beacon in this world. See you on the other side. Love ya,' he added in a statement to X, formerly Twitter.
The pair had been on the journey of a lifetime together, forming one of TV's most enduring double acts and bringing joy to millions with their cooking.
They met on the set of a TV drama in 1995, before King sold Myers what he called the 'worst motorbike you have ever seen.'
Tonight, the final episode of the pair's last series, The Hairy Bikers Go West, reveals Myers' loving words to his best friend. He tells him that their TV double act was a 'dream come true' and adds: 'Who knows what the future holds but for the moment, I'm living in the present, and it's pretty fine.'
Myers first learnt how to cook aged 11 after his mother Margaret fell ill with multiple sclerosis
He previously told the Mail how he concocted 'complicated salads with all kinds of ingredients', whilst other dishes were made with a little too much garlic.
At the age of 17, Myers was hit by a second tragedy when his father was struck down by a debilitating stroke.
After struggling with the task of caring for them both, the presenter was forced to send his mother into hospital, and she never returned.
David 'Dave' Myers became beloved as one half of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo, The Hairy Bikers , with fellow chef Simon 'Si' King
Born in Barrow-in-Furness, Myers began his media career as a make-up artist at the BBC, before he met King.
As a student he worked in a steelworks to help finance his studies in fine arts.
His and King's first show, The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook, was launched on the BBC in 2006 and saw them ride across countries including Portugal, Romania and Namibia, tasting the local cuisine and experimenting with making it themselves.
Their combination of riding their motorcycles to locations across the world and cooking up a storm as they went earned them a loyal following.
The pair also won over viewers with their cheeky northern humour and enthusiasm.
After their first show, the bearded duo went on to film many other series and specials for the BBC, seeking out new dishes in countries such as India, Vietnam, Argentina and Mexico.
They also sampled cuisines of places nearer to home, such as Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Across their career they published more than 30 cookbooks together.
In November, King told BBC Breakfast that their more than 30-year friendship came 'naturally' to them as they were 'good mates' and 'part each other's families'.
Myers also recalled during the interview that King had cooked him his favourite comfort food of mince and dumplings while he was being treated for cancer.
At the time, the TV chef said he had been 'really enjoying life' as he had got back to riding his bike and filming with his 'best mate'.
King said last month he 'will miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime'.
'I wish you god's speed brother; you are and will remain a beacon in this world. See you on the other side. Love ya,' he added in a statement to X, formerly Twitter.
He also thanked well-wishers for sending messages of support to Myers, saying: 'It meant the world to him, his family and all The Hairy Bikers team'.
Following his diagnosis, Myers briefly took a break from work before filming his last show with King, which sees them travel west across Britain from Scotland to Devon.
King previously said that the series would be one they would 'always remember'.
'We are very privileged to do what we do and I think this one was particularly special in general because of Dave's health and his sheer and utter determination and love for what he does', he added.
'Especially to continue to do it while he was having treatment took remarkable courage and energy - and adds to why Dave and I will not forget it.'
The 57-year-old presenter said the travelogue was 'a celebration of a joyous and creative friendship' and he was happy they returned to his co-presenter's original home of Lancashire during the series.
Dave Myers shares his heartbreaking final o-screen words as his best friend Si King chokes back tears during the last ever Hairy Bikers episode set to air on Tuesday evening
Si is also left choking back tears as he struggles to find the words to express his emotions: 'I'm just lost for words. It's quite remarkable what he's done'
After the credits roll, a tribute reads: 'In loving memory of our friend, Dave Myers'
Myers' and King's combination of riding their motorcycles to locations across the world and cooking up a storm as they went earned them a loyal following. Above: The pair on The Hairy Bikers Ride Again
Myers and King on their first show, the Hairy Bikers' Cookbook, which aired in 2006
Dave Myers and Simon King on The Hairy Bikers Go West, which is airing on BBC Two
Myers competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 alongside professional dancer Karen Hauer
Myers was married to Liliana Orzac, whom he met while filming Hairy Bikers in Romania
Dave as a baby with his mother Margaret. He taught himself how to cook after she fell ill
King and Myers on The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook, their first show together
Myers also competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 alongside professional dancer Karen Hauer.
After performing dances including the salsa, jive and paso doble, the pair were voted off the competition in week seven.
He also appeared as a guest on a host of shows including Sunday Brunch, Countdown, Would I Lie To You?, All Star Family Fortunes and The Weakest Link.
Myers had previously spoken about other health struggles, including discovering he had glaucoma - an eye condition that can lead to blindness.
In 2018, he revealed he had originally dismissed the condition as a bad hangover.
He had also opened up about losing weight through the years by cutting out carbs and alcohol in a bid to become healthier.
For a BBC Two series, A Cook Abroad, Myers had to travel to Egypt without King after he suffered a brain aneurysm in 2014, which his co-presenter later said he was only able to survive thanks to considerable weight loss.
Myers was married to Liliana Orzac, whom he met while filming Hairy Bikers in Romania, and was a stepfather to her two children, Iza and Sergiu, from a previous relationship.
The Hairy Bikers Go West final episode airs on BBC Two at 8pm on Tuesday
