Hairy Biker Si King has shared the emotional moment he watched his co-star Dave Myers reached an important milestone during his cancer treatment.
The celebrity chef, 57, told how he felt overwhelmed watching Dave overtake him on his motorbike as they filmed the new series of their show.
It is the first time the presenting duo have returned to filming their cooking programme since Dave was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.
Speaking ahead of the series, The Hairy Bikers Go West, which was shot while Dave was still undergoing treatment, Si said the focus was to get back on their bikes.
Dave, 66, was having his treatment as they spent several weeks riding 600 miles from Scotland to Devon, down the west of the country.
Hairy Biker Si King (left) has shared the emotional moment he watched his co-star Dave Myers (right) reached an important milestone during his cancer treatment
Si, said: ‘Our focus, and particularly Dave’s focus, was to get out on the bike, to start the process of filming, and to bring a level of normality back for him, his family, for me, for the crew.
‘That’s what he worked towards and that’s what got him through that particular portion of his treatment.
‘There was a lovely moment on the first day of filming where Dave overtook me on the road on the bikes and it was great, it was like ‘aw he’s back’. It was really quite emotional.
‘It’s a series that we will 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.
‘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 levels of support and kindness that Dave and I were shown all the way was fantastic.’
Dave also makes a return to the county where he was born – his birthplace Barrow-in-Furness has changed from historically Lancashire to Cumbia – and it was that connection that made them choose the west of Britain for the seven-part series meeting producers and sampling food.
The celebrity chef, 57, told how he felt overwhelmed watching Dave (left) overtake him on his motorbike as they filmed the new series of their show
Si added: ‘Dave is a west coast lad and we had a blast visiting some of his old haunts and our favourite places. It was so joyous because it’s Dave’s neck of the woods, it was great.’
In May 2022, Dave revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer and had been undergoing chemotherapy.
In December, Dave left viewers in tears as he gave an emotional health update during The Hairy Bikers’ Christmas Special.
He offered an update on his diagnosis while explaining the reason he hasn’t publicly shared the type of cancer he’s been diagnosed with.
While much of the festive special focused on his love of food, Dave also shared insight into his recent cancer battle, which included unseen clips of his hospital treatment.
Talking about the moment he found out he had cancer, Dave remembered receiving a phone call from his doctor while driving on the motorway in France.
‘I can’t remember the rest of the drive home, it was like everything collapsed around us,’ his wife Liliana added.
In December, Dave left viewers in tears as he gave an emotional health update during The Hairy Bikers ‘ Christmas Special
‘It’s like, ”Where do we go from here?” Dave continued. ‘When I first got the call, what went through my mind was disbelief, and a refusal to believe it in a way.
‘It’s the word, isn’t it, the word that everybody fears.’
He added that the moment it ‘got real’ was when Dave went to chemo for the first time, before it ‘got really real’ when he lost all his hair.
‘The first lot of chemo was very, very destructive,’ Dave said, recalling how he was told by an oncologist that he would be ‘taken to the edge’.
‘You don’t realise what an impact it can have, the debilitating effects kick in quite quickly.
‘My sense of taste and appetite went, I was poorly, you see your weight drop and you’ve got to eat, but it’s finding something you want to eat. I had sores in my mouth. I would fall over quite a lot.’
‘It was hard, and it is hard to see him physically struggling with the effects of the treatment,’ Liliana added.
‘By the second lot of chemo, my hair came out. It really is quite radical, it’s not a gradual moulting, your hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, everything just goes,’ Dave went on.
He offered an update on his recent diagnosis while explaining the reason he hasn’t publicly shared the type of cancer he’s been diagnosed with
While much of the special focused on his and sidekick Si’s love of food, Dave did also share insight into his cancer battle, including unseen clips of his hospital treatment
Later in the special, Dave shared an update on his health by revealing he was going to be able to get back on his bike for another road trip with his pal Si King
Dave’s emotional update left many viewers in tears, with some praising the presenter for speaking so candidly about his cancer battle
‘It was all about survival, getting through from one week to the next.’
Later in the special, Dave revealed he was going to be able to get back on his bike for another road trip with his pal Si.
He said: ‘My legs are going, the grin, I feel like a hysterical teenager again. I’m going to phone Kingy. It means we can get back on the road together again.’
After his 37th round of chemotherapy, viewers saw the emotional moment Dave got back on his bike for the first time.
Si, said: ‘I knew I’d got my man back. It was like a miracle had happened, because it was something we thought he’d never do again. But he does it.
‘I was jumping for joy, not for any other reason, but to see my best mate doing what he does.’
Dave’s emotional update left many viewers in tears, with some praising the presenter for speaking so candidly about his cancer battle.
One posted: ‘Dave Myers – back on the bike. What a moment,’ while a second added: ‘I watched #thehairybikers Coming Home For Christmas. An od to food, friendship and overcoming cancer. Cooking for all the people who helped Dave Myers in his cancer journey at a Christmas meal.’
‘The food was his love to those people. Well worth a watch on iPlayer,’ a third penned.
One viewer gushed: ‘I enjoyed The Hairy Bikers and their Christmas show. There is no doubt that Dave Myers had a very tough time.
‘A small part of me wonders if a mere mortal had cancer at the same time would they have had the same treatment from the NHS?’
‘Actually welling up a bit at the Hairy Bikers Christmas Special. Cancer sucks, delighted Dave Myers is doing well,’ one fan posted.
Another tweeted: ‘A fabulous and emotional watch. The Hairy Bikers covering Dave Myers journey from chemo to a celebration meal. Wish him well.’
‘Watching @HairyBikers right now and seeing the wonderful Dave Myers looking similar, but better than me, and going through a similar journey is very uplifting but also heartbreaking. I get his pain, LITERALLY. Wish I could eat like him and I really do need to do that… soon!’ one fan added.
‘Crying here – in a bit of shame tbh. I enjoy watching the Hairy Bikers but never really liked Dave Myers. Watching his bravery now? Incredible guy,’ another shared.
One also posted: ‘Just incredible. How the hell he has coped I’ve no idea. I would not have,’ with one user going onto say: ‘Great to see Dave Myers back on our screens.’
‘Grown up with The Hairy Bikers, so it is emotional seeing Dave Myers’ recent struggle and cancer battle, but I am enjoying them hanging out, being themselves and cooking together again!’ one fan added.
The Hairy Bikers Go West airs at 6pm on Tuesday February 6 on BBC Two.
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