By Elliott West
“You can’t ignore the dark times”.
Dave Myers
Introduction
Dave Myers had two passions in life, cooking and motorcycles. A man with a gleaming smile, a twinkle in his eye, a distinctive beard and a delightful Cumbrian accent. His passion for food was relentless and with his best friend Simon King, who he first met in 1995 on the set of the TV drama entitled The Gambling Man, the cuisine duo dominated cookery programming for twenty years. A working partnership that lasted thirty years. Dave brightened up a viewer’s day, a cook who loved to sample various recipes and put his own unique stamp on so many meals, small or hearty. A national treasure whose feet were firmly placed in a kitchen.
Background
Dave Myers was born in Barrow-in-Furness in 1957. His father worked as a foreman in a paper mill. Educated at the local grammar school, his art teacher, Mr Eaton inspired him to go on to study a fine-art degree at Goldsmiths and a master’s degree in art history. He went on to become a specialist makeup artist in prosthetics. A man who bought his first motorcycle when he was a student, a Cossack Ural Mark Mk III with sidecar.Yet aside from his day job, Dave had a true love, the love of cooking. A passion that came to life when he met his best friend Si King. This was a beautiful friendship that saw the two tour the country and the globe. Whether appearing on their programmes as the trademark Hairy Bikers or guest appearances on other programmes, the two worked perfectly in partnership, gourmet cooks of their time, making cooking seem easy and spreading their joy for creating old and new dishes. Whether it was in a kitchen or in a field, Dave and Si made it happen, sourcing produce and working their magic on a cooker or a camping gas burner. No task too great and smiles and laughs brought to the crew and those that they met.
Dave would go to delight us with his dancing moves on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013 with dancing partner Karen Hauer. An appearance that last seven weeks and one where he danced the jive, tango and waltz. A viewers’ favourite and someone who showed that no matter your proficiency at dancing, the joy of working with the Strictly family is second to none. A family that creates lifelong friends and causes many to continue dancing afterwards.
Dave’s Battle
Dave Myers was diagnosed with cancer in May 2022 but didn’t disclose what type he had. This was the start of a very brave journey that must give solace to so many cancer sufferers. Although he was keen not to sugarcoat his illness, Dave remained defiant until the end. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Myers remained resilient, saying that his hair looked better than it did before and getting on a motorcycle as soon as he could after treatment. So strong was the bond between himself and Si that his best friend took him to appointments and dropped off food for him. Masculinity and tenderness entwined. Not surprising for someone who Roger Moore trusted to cut his hair. Even though Roger threatened to break his scissors if he mucked it up.
This hairy biker who prided himself on using Bavarian wax on his moustache and who Si described as being “as hard as nails”. Even in his last series, The Hairy Bikers Go West, currently being shown on the BBC, Dave remained in good spirits and ready for what he ironically said would be his last journey. A private man away from the cameras, he was a devoted husband to his wife Liliana and father to her children, Izabelle and Sergiu. A journey that he said was all-encompassing. His passing at the age of 66, leaves a hole in joyous viewing but someone who will always be remembered for it bringing a ray of sunshine to your television.
