Widow of Hairy Biker Dave Myers Struggles to Watch Final Series After His Death

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The widow of beloved TV chef Dave Myers has revealed she still cannot bring herself to watch the final episodes of The Hairy Bikers Go West, following her husband’s death from cancer earlier this year.

Myers, one half of the much-loved Hairy Bikers duo alongside co-star Si King, passed away in February at 66, shortly after the final series aired. The programme, which saw the pair explore the west coast of the United Kingdom, was filmed while Myers was undergoing cancer treatment.

Speaking ahead of a re-run of the series scheduled for July 15 on BBC Two, Lili Myers shared that filming the show gave her husband a renewed sense of purpose during a physically and emotionally gruelling time. While she supported his decision to take on the project, watching it back has proved too painful.

“Dave made such a superhuman effort to finish that series,” she said. “But I’ll never forget the look on his face once filming wrapped. He knew that was the last time.” Her comments were given in an interview with the BBC.

Mrs Myers described how the filming helped her husband reconnect with himself, particularly as he grappled with the effects of treatment, including hair loss and a diminished sense of taste,a cruel twist for a man whose career revolved around food. “He was known for his hair, and suddenly it was gone,” she explained. “Filming made him feel whole again, like he hadn’t lost anything.”

Final Journey

The couple, who had been together for nearly two decades, spoke at length about whether he should take on the series. Myers, ever thoughtful, was concerned it would take precious time away from his wife. “He told me, ‘If you don’t want me to do it, I won’t. I don’t want to deprive you of time.’ He always put me first,” she recalled.

In the end, she encouraged him to go ahead, knowing how much it meant to him. Though he struggled with taste changes brought on by his treatment, he found joy in being back on screen with King, his long-time friend and co-star.

The couple watched the first episode together in early February 2024. “That was the only episode I could bring myself to watch,” Mrs Myers said. “Soon after, he became very ill, and it was just too difficult.”

Following his death, there was a nationwide outpouring of grief. 

Myers’ legacy continues through a series of tribute events dubbed “Dave Day,” which have raised thousands of pounds for charitable causes, including the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), Childline, and CancerCare North Lancashire and South Cumbria. Thousands of bikers travelled from London to Myers’ hometown of Barrow-in-Furness to honour his memory.

Despite the sadness surrounding the final series, Mrs Myers says she is proud of what her husband achieved in his final months. While she may not be able to watch the show again just yet, she hopes viewers will see it for what it was, a final gift from a man determined to do what he loved right to the end.