Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers' last adventure lamented by fans
The final ever episode of the late TV chef's cooking adventures with best friend Si King had viewers in tears.
What did you miss?
The Hairy Bikers fans were tearfully mourning the late Dave Myers' "last adventure" as the final ever episode of their show aired.
The TV chef – who died on Wednesday, 28 February at the age of 66 after being diagnosed with cancer – joined best friend Si King for one last road trip in their new TV series The Hairy Bikers: Go West which came to an end on BBC Two on Tuesday evening.
The finale was packed with poignant remarks from Myers as he tasted their final recipe together and exclaimed: "Eat that, you'd live for ever!" Fans shared their sadness on social media.
What, how and why?
The finale of The Hairy Bikers: Go West saw Myers and King, 57, visit Dorset, Devon and Exmouth.
As they reached the end of their journey along the West coast, which started in Scotland, Myers confessed: "Do you know I'm sightly in mourning, this our penultimate stop on our trip. But as if things couldn't get better we've got one last stop to go, it's going to be really really good. Especially for two greedy northerners." King said: "Well this is the last stop on our journey my friend and what a trip it's been. We planned to go west and by Jove we've done it!"
The pair visited their "mate" Michelin star chef Michael Caines MBE, at Lympstone Manor in Exmouth.
Myers declared: "This is such a special trip after the last 18 months. And I can't think of a better climax. After tucking into his Michelin-star meal with English sparkling wine he sighed poignantly: "I don't want it to end!" King added: "It's lovely because the west coast is where Dave is bon and bred. So it's been a lovely experience exploring."
The pair then cooked their final TV recipe together, pan fried fish. Tasting it Myers said: "Eat that, you'd live for ever Kingy." King replied: "You absolutely would."
Viewers were moved to tears watching the episode, knowing that is was Myers' "last adventure".
One wrote on social media platform X: "So sad watching the #hairybikers Go West final episode knowing this is Dave’s last adventure such a lovely man and a sad loss."
Another said: "I can't help but wipe away tears watching the last outing for Dave and Si. Lovely lads who had a wonderful friendship. It's been a privilege to watch them together for so long. Will never forget Dave. Thank you #HairyBikers"
And another lamented: "#hairybikers Dave wouldn’t have wanted to spend his final moments in any other way. Just wish he could have spent many more years doing what he loved together with Si."
At the end of the episode Myers admitted filming the series had been "tough" as had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment throughout. He and King then shared a meaningful hug.
King had tears in his eyes as he said: "We've done it, but more importantly, he's done it... I’m his mate and I love him like family and a brother… just lost for words. It's quite remarkable what he's done.”
What else happened on The Hairy Bikers: Go West?
King and Myers visited a biltong factory in Devon where they reflected on their first ever TV show when they tasted Biltong, dried meat, in South Africa in Namibia. Myers enthused: "It was a our first programme wasn't it, our first real adventure, And we were out there for two months, and that's where we discovered it and it was so tasty and addictive."
Viewers were shown pictures of The Hairy Bikers in tents in Namibia from the first series of their original BBC Two show The Hairy Bikers Cookbook, which aired in 2006.
It's almost 20 years Myers and King first appeared on TV as food-loving motorcyclists exploring and experimenting with recipes around the world. They have now made over 20 TV series together and published over 30 cookbooks.
Myers, from Lancashire, and King, from County Durham both worked behind the cameras in TV and film production. Myers was a make-up artist and stylist on shows including Prime Suspect and King was a location manager, working on the first Harry Potter movie, The Philosopher's Stone. The pair met when they both worked on TV drama The Gambling Man in 1995.
Myers revealed in 2022 that he had been diagnosed with cancer. The aggressive chemotherapy he underwent to combat the disease not only meant he had to learn to walk again but also made him lose his appetite.
At the end of February, King posted a message on Instagram saying that Myers had “passed away peacefully at home” on 28 February with his wife Lili, family and close friends by his side.
“All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing,” he said. “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.”
Producers confirmed a week after Myers' death they had decided to go ahead with airing The Hairy Bikers: Go West, as it was what he would have wanted. In the first episode to air after Myers had passed away, King said: "I missed me best mate" when Myers missed filming.
The Hairy Bikers: Go West airs is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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