BBC’s Hairy Bikers star Simon King has praised pal Dave Myers for his courage in battling cancer treatment to get back on his motorbike for their new series Go West.
The much-loved cooking travelogue star, 66, has not revealed which type of cancer he has been diagnosed with.
Si says: “There was a lovely moment on the first day of filming where Dave overtook me on the road on the bikes and it was like, ‘Aww, he’s back’. It was really emotional.
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“It’s a series that we will always remember and particularly special because of Dave’s health and his sheer and utter determination and love for what he does. To continue to do it while he was having treatment took remarkable courage and energy.”
(Image: Instagram)
The Hairy Bikers Go West hits BBC Two on Tuesday and sees the duo travel from Scotland to Devon, and includes a poignant visit to Lancashire, where Dave was born.
Si says: “Dave is a west coast lad and we had a blast visiting some of his old haunts and favourite places. Our focus, and particularly Dave’s, was to get out on the bike and bring a level of normality back for him, his family, me and the crew.
“That’s what got him through that particular portion of his treatment. It was so joyous because it’s Dave’s neck of the woods. It was like old times and over the comms he was going, ‘Kingy, are you sure we’re going left here?’
(Image: Instagram)
“That sort of dialogue was great – it’s what we’ve done over the last 20 years.”
The series tracks down a new generation of young farmers working on sustainability, explores the future of food production and sees them serve up recipes such as Chicken Balmoral with truffle mash, and Lancashire butter and potato pie.
Si says: “Dave and I are a conduit for other people’s stories. We are two naturally inquisitive blokes, and enthusiastic so there was always a sound basis for a very long-term, fruitful friendship, which is what we’ve had.
“We’re part of each other’s lives – that doesn’t change off screen either. But we give each other space because we’ve been around the world four and a half times together and around the UK more times than I care to mention.” Getting back on home turf was particularly moving for Dave in the series as he was in reflective mode.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
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Si says: “Dave is definitely a Lancashire lad, albeit Cumbria because they changed the boundaries. He identifies strongly with both.
Dave was incredibly nostalgic about his parents and life as a young boy. “We talked a lot about going to Lancaster University to watch gigs. He was, like I am, massively into music. “Lancashire has a very strong presence in the food scene.”
The Hairy Bikers first hit the screens in 2004 and have gone on to become one of the nation’s favourites pairings. Dave was a professional prosthetics make-up artist while Si was a TV locations manager on Byker Grove and the Harry Potter films.
It was on a break to the west coast of Scotland where their friendship first deepened. Si says: “Dave had one caravan and I had the other with two young sons. We went fishing, caught a load of mackerel and cooked them on the BBQ.
“It’s time, as you do as mates, to get together and have a good craic. It was lovely to revisit that energy and atmosphere.”
The Hairy Bikers Go West is on Tuesday on BBC Two at 7pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
