Dave Myers (presenter)

English television presenter (1957–2024)

For the American chef and television personality, see David Myers (American chef).

Dave Myers

Myers (right) with Si King in 2010

Born|

David James Myers

(1957-09-08)8 September 1957

Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, England

Died| 28 February 2024(2024-02-28) (aged 66)
Occupation| Television presenter
Years active| 1984–2024
Spouse|

Liliana Orzac

(m. 2011)​

Website| Hairy Bikers official site

David James Myers (8 September 1957 – 28 February 2024) was an English television presenter, and one half of the Hairy Bikers, along with Si King. He also appeared on the BBC celebrity talent show Strictly Come Dancing. Together, Myers and King presented a number of television cookery series for the BBC. They also launched an online weight loss programme, 'The Hairy Bikers Diet Club'.

## Early life

[edit]

Myers was born on 8 September 1957 in Barrow-in-Furness,[1] where his father worked as a foreman in a paper mill.[2] Myers was a young carer at the age of 12; after his mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, he learned to cook to help his family.[3][4]

He attended Barrow-in-Furness Grammar School for Boys, where he credited an art teacher, Mr Eaton, as the inspiration behind his degree in fine art at Goldsmiths, University of London, and a M.A. in art history.[5] The first motorcycle Myers bought, when still a student, was a Cossack Ural Mars Mk III, with a sidecar.[6]

Myers then became a professional make-up artist, specialising in prosthetics. He met Si King in 1995 on the set of the television drama The Gambling Man.[7]

## Career

[edit]

Main article: Hairy Bikers

Myers and Si King first appeared on the BBC's show The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook. The programme presented a mixture of cookery and travelogue, using a similar style to chef Keith Floyd, including the habit of frequently referring to the cameraman and other crew. Most shows featured the pair riding motorbikes, including the BMW R1200GS, F650GS[8][9] and Triumph Rocket III. The show also featured elements of the Two Fat Ladies format, including regular banter between the two stars, use of various unusual cooking locations and the use of motorbikes.[10]

On 24 August 2009 they hosted a 30-part daytime series for BBC Two, The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain, which aired on weekdays. The series saw them visit a different county each day and cook what they considered to be that county's signature dish.[11]

In January 2010 a six-part series titled The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best was broadcast on BBC Two.[12] On 25 October 2010 a new 40-episode series, The Hairy Bikers' Cook Off, was launched on BBC Two. The programme included a cook off between two families and celebrity guests.[13] From January to May 2010, the Hairy Bikers performed their Big Night Out show in theatres throughout the UK. Directed by Bob Mortimer, the show was a fun mixture of cooking and chat plus a little song and dance. It explored their youth, how they met and their love of food. [14]

In June 2011 the Bikers appeared in the second series of Mum Knows Best. The series, made up of eight episodes, featured three 'Star Mums' whose recipes were tested and shared with the public.[15] October 2011 saw a new series, Meals on Wheels, air on BBC Two. The series fronted a campaign with BBC Learning to save local 'meals on wheels' services around the UK.[16]

From November to December 2011, the Bikers appeared in a 30-part BBC series called Hairy Bikers: Best of British, airing at 3:45pm on BBC Two (apart from the show's final week, in which it aired on BBC One). The series celebrated British recipes and championed local produce. In January 2012, continuing into February, BBC Two showed hour-long re-versions including recipes from various episodes of the series.[17]

After they had signed new contracts with the BBC in 2011, a new series was commissioned. The Hairy Biker's Bakeation was a gastronomic road trip, uncovering the best baking on offer across Europe, from Norway, the Low Countries (Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg), Germany, Eastern Europe (Slovakia, Hungary and Romania), Austria, Italy and France to Spain.[18]

In March 2012 Good Food commissioned The Hairy Biker's Mississippi Adventure, the duo's first series for the channel. UKTV gave a description of the series: "In this ultimate food and music pilgrimage, the perennially popular Hairy Bikers are getting back in the saddle as they explore the length of the iconic Mississippi River in America in pursuit of the delicious roots of soul food and Southern music." The series was produced by Mentorn Media, and the Bikers' first interactive iOS app, also produced by Mentorn, was released to accompany the series.[19] In August 2012 Hairy Dieters: How to Love Food and Lose Weight showed how The Hairy Bikers radically changed their lifestyles, but stayed true to their love of great food, as they embarked on a campaign to lose two and a half stone (15.8 kg (35 lb)) in three months, comfortably passing their target weights.[20]

In February 2014 they launched a new series, The Hairy Bikers' Asian Adventure for BBC Two which saw them travelling in Asia sampling the local cuisine, meeting local people and cooking up some native dishes themselves. The series follows in a similar style to the Bakeation series in 2012. [21]

In March 2015 they co-presented The Nation's Favourite Food on BBC Two alongside Lorraine Pascale.[22]

After having experienced their own success with balancing eating the food they love while also being conscious of their health and losing weight, they wanted to help others to do the same. In January 2014 they launched the Hairy Bikers Diet Club, which included recipes and tips and tricks to help people to live a healthier and trimmer life, while not starving to be "skinny minnies".[23]

In 2015, Myers co-wrote an autobiography with Si King, titled The Hairy Bikers: Blood, Sweat and Tyres.[24]

In September 2017 Myers and King were initiated into the showbusiness charity, the Grand Order of Water Rats.[25]

## Personal life

[edit]

In 1998 Myers lost his fiancée to cancer and then at the end of the year he suffered migraine and memory loss. Doctors scanned him and he was told that he had a shadow on his brain, which turned out to be a benign arachnoid cyst, and emergency surgery successfully drained it.[26]

Myers was a supporter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society from 2008 and took part in fundraising events for the charity. He had been a young carer for his mother who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.[4]

In January 2011 he married his partner Liliana Orzac, whom he met while filming Hairy Bikers in Romania for the BBC.[27] He had two stepchildren from Orzac's previous relationship.[28]

## Health concerns and death

[edit]

In 2018 Myers was informed that he was suffering from glaucoma.[26] In October 2021, Si King announced that Myers was recovering after contracting COVID-19.[29]

In May 2022 Myers revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer and had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment.[30] In January 2023, he appeared on BBC Breakfast, announcing a new series of The Hairy Bikers TV show, and gave an update on his continuing treatment.[31]

Myers died on 28 February 2024, at the age of 66, with his family and friends by his side.[32] Myers had already made plans for his own funeral. When asked how he most wanted to be remembered as a person, Myers said he hoped it would be as someone "who had a go" and for people around him to "never limit" their goals.[33]

## Legacy

[edit]

A memorial motorcycle ride took place on 7 April 2024, when about 6,000 bikers rode from Beverley in East Riding of Yorkshire to Scarborough in North Yorkshire, to pay tribute and raise funds for Cancer Research UK. King said "Many many thanks for remembering Dave in this way. He would have loved it."[34][35][36]

On 8 June 2024 thousands of bikers travelled from London to Myers' home town of Barrow-in-Furness, for "Dave Day". His wife Lili organised the event after friends and family asked if there would be a motorcycle ride in his memory. The event raised money for NSPCC Childline and The Institute of Cancer Research, with donations being split evenly between the two charities.[37][38] Organisers had predicted that some 20,000 motorcyclists would participate, but the eventual estimate was more than 45,000.[39][40]

On 14 September 2024, the first episode of the 22nd series of Strictly Come Dancing was dedicated to the memory of both Myers and former professional dancer Robin Windsor.[41]

## Filmography

[edit]

### Selected television guest appearances

[edit]

* Christmas University Challenge – contestant and team captain, Goldsmiths, University of London (23 December 2020)[42]
* Shooting Stars (16 September 2009)[43]
* Genius (October 2010) – guest[44]
* Children in Need (November 2010) – guest[45]
* This Morning (2016) – guest[45]
* Countdown (August 2012, January 2013, October 2014) – guest in Dictionary Corner[46]
* Loose Women (22 November 2017) – guest[47]
* Would I Lie To You? (28 June 2013) – panellist[45]
* Never Mind the Buzzcocks (23 September 2013) – panellist[48]
* Room 101 (7 February 2014) – guest [49]
* All About Two (20 April 2014) – guest panellist[50]
* Through the Keyhole (11 October 2014) – celebrity homeowner[51]
* Holiday of My Lifetime (20 October 2014) – guest[52]
* The BBC Children in Need Sewing Bee (21 October 2014) – contestant[53]
* Celebrity Juice (24 October 2014) – panellist[54]
* All Star Family Fortunes (25 January 2015) – contestant[55]
* A Cook Abroad (2 February 2015) – guest presenter[56]
* The Chase: Celebrity Special (2015) – contestant[57]

### Theatre

[edit]

2014: Cinderella (Pantomime), The Hexagon, Reading, support role, season 2014–15[58]

### Strictly Come Dancing

[edit]

In 2013 Myers competed in Strictly Come Dancing (series 11), partnered with professional ballroom dancer Karen Hauer. They were voted out in week 7 on 10 November.[59]

Week | Dance/song | Judges' scores | Result

|
|
|

Craig Revel Horwood | Darcey Bussell | Len Goodman | Bruno Tonioli | Total
1  | Cha-Cha-Cha / "Moves like Jagger"  | 2  | 5  | 5  | 4  | 16  | Safe
2  | American Smooth / "How D'Ya Like Your Eggs in the Morning?"  | 3  | 5  | 5  | 4  | 17  | Safe
3  | Paso Doble / "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)"  | 2  | 5  | 5  | 4  | 16  | Safe
4  | Waltz / "Take It to the Limit"[60] | 5  | 6  | 6  | 6  | 23  | Safe
5  | Salsa / "Cuban Pete"  | 3  | 5  | 5  | 4  | 17  | Safe
6  | Jive / "Monster Mash"  | 4  | 5  | 6  | 4  | 19  | Safe
7  | Tango / "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"  | 4  | 6  | 6  | 4  | 20  | Eliminated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Clarke, Naomi (2 March 2024). "Scotsman Obituaries: Dave Myers, make-up artist who found fame as one of TV's Hairy Bikers". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
2. ^ Dave Myers Family Values at The Guardian Archived 22 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 5 September 2014
3. ^ Youngs, Ian (29 February 2024). "The Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers, who had cancer, dies at 66". BBC News. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
4. ^ a b "He did his mum proud". MS Society. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
5. ^ My best teacher – Dave Myers at Times Educational Supplement 2009 Archived 19 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 August 2014
6. ^ "Riders' Lives Special ~ 'Hairy Biker' Dave Myers". 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
7. ^ "How did the Hairy Bikers meet?". 25 October 2022. Archived from the original on 12 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
8. ^ "Two Hairy Bikers and one lucky winner". World of BMW. 31 May 2006. Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
9. ^ Welch, Andy (18 August 2008). "Crumbs – more hairy moments". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 23 November 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
10. ^ Jeffries, Stuart (29 February 2024). "Dave Myers obituary". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
11. ^ "The Hairy Bikers rev up for their Food Tour of Britain for BBC Two Daytime". Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
12. ^ kazy (20 January 2010). "Mums Know Best – Series 1 – Shows". Hairy Bikers. Archived from the original on 22 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
13. ^ Bikers, Hairy (October 2010). "The Hairy Bikers' Cook Off – TV Shows". Hairy Bikers. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
14. ^ "About the Hairy Bikers". BBC.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
15. ^ "Mums Know Best – Series 2 – Shows". Hairy Bikers. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
16. ^ "Meals on Wheels – Shows". Hairy Bikers. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
17. ^ "Best of British – Shows". Hairy Bikers. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
18. ^ Bikers, Hairy. "Hairy Bikers' Bakeation – TV Shows". Hairy Bikers. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
19. ^ Bikers, Hairy. "Hairy Bikers' Mississippi Adventure – TV Shows". Hairy Bikers. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
20. ^ "BBC Two – Hairy Dieters: How to Love Food and Lose Weight". Bbc.co.uk. 1 January 1970. Archived from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
21. ^ "Series 1, The Hairy Bikers' Asian Adventure – BBC Two". BBC. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
22. ^ "BBC Two – The Hairy Bikers and Lorraine Pascale: Cooking the Nation's Favourite Food". BBC. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
23. ^ "Hairy Bikers' Diet Club – Welcome – Lose Weight With Us". Hairy Bikers Diet Club. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
24. ^ "Book reviews: The Hairy Bikers, Slade House and more". Daily Express. 20 November 2015. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
25. ^ "Biography of a Water Rat". www.gowr.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 December 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
26. ^ a b "Hairy Biker Dave Myers on latest health scare". Belfast Telegraph. 22 September 2018. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
27. ^ Bikers, Hairy. "Wedding Bells for Dave - News". Hairy Bikers. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
28. ^ Midgley, Dominic (6 November 2013). "Dave Myers is the Strictly hairy dancer turned make-up artist and antiques fanatic!". Express. Archived from the original on 30 January 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
29. ^ "Hairy Bikers star Si King says best friend Dave Myers is 'not very well' amid Covid battle". standard.co.uk. 11 October 2021. Archived from the original on 11 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
30. ^ "Hairy Bikers: TV chef Dave Myers reveals cancer diagnosis". BBC News. 6 May 2022. Archived from the original on 7 January 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
31. ^ "Hairy Biker Dave Myers gives update on cancer treatment". BBC News. 3 January 2023. Archived from the original on 7 January 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
32. ^ "Dave Myers: The Hairy Bikers star, who had cancer, dies at 66". BBC News. 29 February 2024. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
33. ^ Campbell, Tina (2 March 2024). "Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers organised his own funeral before his death". The Standard. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
34. ^ Media, P. A. (7 April 2024). "'He would have loved it': Hairy Bikers star thanks riders for Dave Myers tribute". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
35. ^ McLaughlin, Charlotte (8 April 2024). "Memorial to Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers by motorbike convoy was 'astounding'". Independent. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
36. ^ Badshah, Nadeem (11 April 2024). "6,000 motorcyclists turn out in tribute to Hairy Biker Dave Myers". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
37. ^ "'Proud' 20,000 bikers finish Dave Myers Barrow tribute ride". 8 June 2024.
38. ^ Skopeliti, Clea (8 June 2024). "Thousands of bikers join 'Dave Day' ride in honour of Dave Myers". The Guardian.
39. ^ "Thousands take part in Dave Day tribute to Hairy Biker Dave Myers in support of the Institute of Cancer Research".
40. ^ "Thousands of bikers ride out in massive Dave Myers tribute".
41. ^ Theil, Michele (15 September 2024). "Strictly Come Dancing pays tribute to Robin Windsor and Dave Myers in launch show". PinkNews. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
42. ^ "Fingers on buzzers.... Courtauld takes on Goldsmiths in arty University Challenge". The Art Newspaper. 24 December 2020. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
43. ^ "Shooting Stars". BBC. 16 September 2009. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
44. ^ "Genius with Dave Gorman". BBC. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
45. ^ a b c "Dave Myers' best moments: From Strictly to collapsed puddings". Bracknell News. 29 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
46. ^ "Hairy Biker Dave Myers' 'todgers' leaves Countdown with conundrum". Guardian. 23 October 2014. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
47. ^ "Hairy Bikers cause outrage after revealing shocking makeover on Loose Women – including a bizarre top knot". Mirror. 23 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
48. ^ "Never Mind the Buzzcocks". BBC. 23 September 2013. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
49. ^ "Series 3, Episode 3 – Lee Mack, Dave Myers, Ruby Wax". comedy.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
50. ^ "All About Two". BBC. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
51. ^ "Hairy Biker's Barrow home features on Through the Keyhole\". nwemail.com. 12 October 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
52. ^ "BBC – Holiday Of My Lifetime – Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
53. ^ "The BBC Children in Need Sewing Bee on BBC2 tonight with Hairy Biker Dave Myers, DJ Edith Bowman, Dr Dawn Harper from Embarrassing Bodies, Wendi Peters & Jenny Eclair". 21 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
54. ^ "Ballet star shows off charity portraits". 13 December 2000. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
55. ^ "All Star Family Fortunes Episode 1". Retrieved 11 May 2017.
56. ^ "Dave Myers' Egypt, A Cook Abroad – BBC Two". BBC. Archived from the original on 2 December 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
57. ^ "The Chase star Mark Labbett left furious by Natalie Cassidy's rude jibe". Metro.co.uk. 9 May 2016. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
58. ^ "Meet the Cinderella Reading Cast #2". Imagine Theatre, Coventry. 15 December 2014. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
59. ^ "Strictly Come Dancing – Series 11 Voting". Ianvictoria.co.uk. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
60. ^ "Week 4 Dances". 13 October 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2017.

## External links

[edit]

* Hairy Bikers official website
* Dave Myers at IMDb

*[m.]: married