These are the last photos of Hairy Biker Dave Myers, who passed away earlier this week following an long battle with cancer, showing him relaxing with his best friend Si King as they watched the first leg of their final tour together.
King today announced that Myers passed away on Wednesday with his friends and family by his side, two years after he revealed he was undergoing treatment for an unspecified type of cancer.
The photos show the Hairy Bikers relaxing on a sofa while watching TV.
Both of them were seen casually lying back on the sofa with their arms behind their heads. A glass of wine and a bottle of water can be seen next to King.
Another snap of the two, posted to Facebook on February 6, shows them smiling as they pose in front of a TV, which is playing their last programme together.
In a heart-wrenching statement Si today said: ‘Hi everyone, I’m afraid I bear some sad news.
The photos show the Hairy Bikers relaxing on a sofa while watching TV
Another snap of the two, posted to Facebook on February 6, shows them smiling as they pose in front of a TV, which is playing their last programme together
Myers passed away on Wednesday with his friends and family by his side
The beloved duo first met when they were both working in the film industry
‘Most of you will know Dave has been fighting cancer for the past couple of years.
‘Last night, on 28th February 2024, with Lili, Dave’s wife, his family, close friend David and myself by his side, he passed away peacefully at home.
‘All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing. His beloved wife brought him such happiness as did her children, Iza and Sergiu who Dave loved like his own.
‘Personally, I am not sure I can put into words on how I feel at the moment.
‘My best friend is on a journey that for now, I can’t follow. I 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.’
The beloved duo first met when they were both working in the film industry – Dave as a make-up artist and Si as a locations director – and bonded over their love of food and motorbikes.
Over their career the best friends built up a reputation as the friendly faces of TV cooking, with 31 separate projects since they first debuted on the BBC in 2006.
In 2022 Dave Myers revealed he’d lost his famous beard as a result of undergoing chemotherapy for his cancer, while speaking on his on his Agony Uncles podcast
On the latest episode of The Hairy Bikers Go West, Dave and his co-star Simon ‘Si’ King explored the Wirral in Merseyside
The statement continued: ‘I know Dave and his family would want me to thank all of you who sent messages of support in recent times.
‘It meant the world to him, his family and all The Hairy Bikers team.
‘I am sending you all much love and gratitude for those simple acts of kindness, generosity and spirit. We are eternally grateful for them.
‘May I ask you all for one further kindness and allow Lili, his wife, his family, close friends and I some time and some peace to process our huge loss.
‘I am sure I will see you all soon.’
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, The Hairy Bikers Go West, which is airing on BBC Two, would be one they would ‘always remember’.
The next episode of the series is set to air on March 5, with weekly shows continuing until March 19.
Dave with his wife, Liliana Orzac, who he met while filming the series in Romania. They married in 2011
On the latest episode of The Hairy Bikers Go West, Dave and Si explored Lancashire.
During their trip, the pair became reflective with Simon expressing his joy that they were back in action again.
He said: ‘It’s great getting back here with my best mate. We didn’t think 18 months ago that we’d be on the bikes again wandering around Dave’s backyard and it’s wonderful that we are.’
Dave briefly took a break from work before filming the latest show, which sees them travel west across Britain from Scotland to Devon.
Earlier this month Si thanked Dave for making their latest series special, after being able to return to filming.
Si said: ‘It’s a series that we will always remember, not that we won’t remember others.
‘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.
Si also shared this black and white photo of him sitting with Dave on a bench
Si King and Dave Myers in their final BBC cooking programme, The Hairy Bikers Go West
Karen Hauer and Dave Myers performing during rehearsals for the BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing 2013
‘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.’
County Durham-born Si also said there is a ‘lovely moment on the first day of filming where Dave overtook me on the road on the bikes’, showing that it was ‘just like old times’.
He added: ‘Over the comms he was going, ‘Kingy, are you sure we’re going left here?’. That sort of dialogue was great and it’s what we’ve done over the last 20 years. It was really quite emotional.’
As well as his cooking adventures, Myers was well known for his warm-hearted appearance on Strictly in 2013, where he partnered with Karen Hauer.
In one particularly memorable performance Myers did a cha cha routine to Maroon 5 song Moves Like Jagger.
TV chef Paul Hollywood said he was ‘gutted’ to hear Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers had died aged 66.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (C) and Hairy Bikers Dave Myers (L) and Si King (R) attend the British Food Fortnight Secondary School Competition at Clarence House, on January 27, 2011
Dave Myers and Si King The Hairy Bikers at the Basingstoke Festival of Food in 2009
He left the audience in stitches with exaggerated moves in a flamboyant silver shirt, before taking Hauer by the leg and pulled her along the dancefloor.
His energetic dances were memorable for their exuberance and then-judge Bruno Tonioli praised him for being ‘entertaining’ but he ended up being booted off while doing a tango to I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers half way through the series.
Before his cancer diagnosis, Dave and Si had been open about their own health issues – shedding six stone between them on The Hairy Dieters: How to Love Food and Lose Weight in 2012.
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.
In a post to her friends, Liliana opened up about her ‘fears’ and ‘exhaustion’ just days before Dave’s death.
Posting a picture of a luxurious bathroom, she spoke of how important self care is when you are going through difficult times.
Dave Myers and Si King enjoy a brew in London in 2006
Dave revealed he had lost his hair after chemotherapy treatment in 2022
The coach and hypnotherapist said: ‘Is taking a hot bath going to wash away all the problems, dylemas, fears or exhaustion? No, of course not!
‘But… it’s very much part of a self care action. Soooo…. I’m off to have a hot bubble bath! And I encourage you all to do small or big things you enjoy towards your wellbeing!’
In an emotional comment, she added: ‘Hard day today, so I am enjoying a small pamper.’
Dave and Liliana kept their personal life incredibly private after they tied the knot back in 2011 at the star’s hometown in Barrow, Cumbria.
But thanking his carers with a special Christmas dinner as part of a Hairy Bikers episode this Christmas, he opened up about just how vital Liliana had been to his care.
Speaking about his cancer diagnosis, he said: ‘It impacts on the family. It’s so difficult for my wife and family you know, that not knowing, your future is completely turned upside down.
‘And also I think for my wife as well, it gave her some freedom away from me. I felt good about being able to let her have time to herself, albeit to go to the gym or a spa, just to have some of her time, because it’s been so all-encompassing.’
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