Hairy Bikers star Si King has opened up on his grief following the death of his close friend and co-star Dave Myers, who died in February 2024 after a battle with cancer
Hairy Bikers’ Si King has shared a poignant moment of realisation, nearly two years after the passing of his dear friend and co-star Dave Myers. The duo first crossed paths in 1995 on the set of ‘The Gambling Man’.
Their bond grew stronger over time, eventually leading them to become household names as TV chefs, blending their passion for food and motorbikes. However, in 2022, Dave was dealt a devastating blow when he was diagnosed with cancer.
Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Dave sadly passed away at the age of 66 in February 2024. In a touching tribute, thousands of bikers journeyed from London to Dave’s hometown of Barrow-in-Furness last June.
In a recent interview with The Times magazine, Si confessed that he still feels the absence of his close mate. He recalled: “When I was riding a bike the other day, I automatically looked behind me to see if Dave was there.
“I thought, ‘Where the bloody hell is he? Has he gone around that bend?’ Then I realised, ‘Oh no, of course he hasn’t.'”
Si described grief as “very odd”, revealing that he felt a “huge mix of emotions” following Dave’s death. He continued: “It’s anger, frustration, sadness, disappointment. They come when you least expect them.”
At 59, Si fondly remembers their strong friendship and how he was “so close” during Dave’s diagnosis and treatment. He cherishes the “fruitful and fulfilling time together” they had, choosing to focus on the highs of their friendship “rather than the loss”.
The television personality has also confronted significant health challenges throughout his life. In 2014, he experienced a brain aneurysm which he describes as leaving him so weakened that he needed to “lie down after making a cup of tea”.
Si confesses he would become completely “exhausted” simply from brewing a cuppa and would remain “sedentary” for the remainder of the day. Nevertheless, he resolved to “crack on” whilst recognising he was facing an “uphill struggle” throughout his rehabilitation.
The celebrity openly acknowledges that his demanding filming commitments, spanning 200 days annually, have affected his family relationships during his career. Si separated from former spouse Jane in 2016, following 27 years of marriage.
He maintains there’s “no blueprint” for sudden fame and reveals that schoolchildren “took the mickey” out of his sons when he achieved celebrity status. He remembers a particular incident where his sons were stunned after witnessing him leap into an African pool whilst completely naked.
Whilst he looks back warmly on the Hairy Bikers era, Si also encountered some “scary” episodes alongside Dave.
He remembered a terrifying experience in Thailand when they were caught in a monsoon aboard a small fishing vessel, as well as the “numerous times” the duo came under gunfire during their adventures.
