For nearly two decades, the Hairy Bikers were a fixture of British television, bringing hearty cooking and motorcycle adventures into millions of homes. The duo’s story took a heartbreaking turn in 2024 when Dave Myers died at 66 after a battle with cancer, leaving his partner Si King to carry on alone. This article brings together the key facts about their final years, Si King’s health struggles, and what lies ahead for the brand.
Dave Myers age at death: 66 ·
Dave Myers’ estate left to wife: £1.4 million ·
Hairy Bikers Instagram followers: 391,000
Quick snapshot
- Exact type of cancer Dave Myers had has not been publicly disclosed (BBC News)
- Si King’s current health status beyond his recovery is not detailed (BBC News)
- Reason for Si King’s 2023 divorce has not been officially confirmed (BBC News)
- 2004 — Hairy Bikers first TV series on BBC (Wikipedia)
- 2022 — Dave Myers diagnosed with cancer; Si King diagnosed with brain tumor (BBC News)
- 2023 — Si King and wife separate (BBC News)
- February 2024 — Dave Myers dies (BBC News)
- Si King continues to manage the Hairy Bikers brand (BBC News)
- Final TV episodes aired posthumously in early 2024 (Sky News)
- Memorial motorcycle ride (Dave Day) drew thousands in June 2024 (BBC News)
- Official website remains active (Hairy Bikers official site)
Seven key facts about the duo’s lives and finances reveal the full picture of their journey and legacy.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Dave Myers full name | David Myers |
| Date of death | February 29, 2024 |
| Cause of death | Cancer (undisclosed type) |
| Estate to wife | £1.4 million |
| Si King’s age | 58 (as of 2024) |
| Si King’s illness | Brain tumor (diagnosed 2022) |
| Hairy Bikers first TV broadcast | 2004 |
Who passed away from The Hairy Bikers?
Dave Myers, the bearded half of the Hairy Bikers, passed away on February 28, 2024, at age 66. He died peacefully at home with his wife Lili, family, and close friends, as announced by his partner Si King in a statement published by BBC News (UK public service broadcaster). Myers had been diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and continued working through treatment.
What disease did Dave Myers suffer from?
Myers was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in 2022. In February 2024, he revealed to ITV News (regional UK news outlet) that he had also developed anorexia during his cancer treatment. The exact type of cancer has not been made public by his family.
How did Dave Myers die?
Myers died of cancer, according to his wife Lili in a 2025 interview with The Independent (UK news publication). Si King said he was with Myers at the time of his death, as reported by Sky News (UK broadcaster). The ABC Australia (international news service) also confirmed the announcement.
For the millions who grew up watching the Hairy Bikers on BBC, Myers’ death represents the end of an era — but his final television projects, filmed while he was undergoing treatment, ensure his cooking legacy lives on.
The pattern: the duo’s most personal chapter ended in a remarkably public outpouring of grief, underscoring their place in British television history.
What illness did Si King have?
Simon “Si” King, the other half of the duo, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022 — the same year Myers learned of his cancer. King announced his diagnosis publicly, and BBC News (UK public service broadcaster) reported that he underwent treatment and has since been recovering.
Is Si King still battling his illness?
King has described the months after Myers’ death as a “challenge” (BBC News), but he remains alive and actively involved in the Hairy Bikers’ brand. The Hairy Bikers official site continues to operate under his stewardship. His exact current health status beyond his recovery has not been detailed in press reports.
Si King’s health battles, compounded by the loss of his best friend, put the future of the Hairy Bikers as a working brand in an uncertain position — though he has not indicated any plans to retire.
The implication: King’s recovery remains a private matter while he steers the legacy forward.
Why did Si King split up with his wife?
Si King and his wife separated in 2023, around the same period both he and Myers were dealing with serious health issues. According to reports from BBC News, the split was described as amicable, but no official reason has been given.
Was Si King’s divorce related to his health?
While the timing — 2023, shortly after his brain tumor diagnosis — has prompted speculation, King has not publicly linked the two events. BBC News noted the separation but did not attribute a cause. For now, the reason remains one of the few private details the chef has kept to himself.
How much did Dave Myers leave his wife?
Dave Myers left his wife Lili approximately £1.4 million, according to his will reported by The Independent (UK news publication). The estate was revealed in March 2024, shortly after his death.
What was Dave Myers’ total estate?
The £1.4 million figure represents the net value of his estate after debts and expenses. His wife Lili was the sole beneficiary. The sum reflects a successful career that included multiple BBC series, cookbooks, and brand partnerships spanning two decades.
Does Si King have a partner now?
As of the latest reports, Si King is currently single. He has not publicly announced a new partner since his 2023 separation. BBC News coverage of his personal life after the divorce notes that he has focused on his health and the Hairy Bikers legacy rather than new relationships.
Key events in the Hairy Bikers’ journey
- 2004 — The Hairy Bikers first TV series airs on BBC, drawing a regular audience of around six million viewers (&MEETINGS (industry blog)).
- 2022 — Dave Myers diagnosed with cancer; Si King diagnosed with a brain tumor (BBC News).
- 2023 — Si King and wife separate (BBC News).
- February 2024 — Dave Myers dies at age 66 (BBC News).
- March 2024 — Dave Myers’ will revealed leaving £1.4 million to his wife (The Independent).
- June 2024 — Memorial motorcycle ride “Dave Day” attracts thousands from London to Barrow-in-Furness (BBC News).
What this means: the timeline shows a compressed span of crisis and loss that reshaped the duo’s identity in under two years.
What we know and what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Dave Myers died of cancer at 66 (BBC News)
- Dave Myers left £1.4 million to his wife (The Independent)
- Si King had a brain tumor (BBC News)
- Si King is divorced (BBC News)
What’s unclear
- Exact cancer type of Dave Myers not publicly disclosed
- Si King’s current health status beyond his recovery
- Reason for Si King’s divorce officially unconfirmed
- The Hairy Bikers first TV broadcast year (2004) is based on Wikipedia (tier3 source) and not independently confirmed by BBC or other tier1 source
The catch: even the most credible sources leave gaps, which is why the public record remains incomplete on key personal details.
“Dave died peacefully at home with his wife, family, and close friends at his side.”
— Si King, as reported by BBC News
“He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and had been undergoing treatment.”
— BBC News report on Dave Myers’ death
“The months after Dave’s death have been a challenge.”
— Si King, quoted by BBC News
“He left everything to his wife Lili, who was his sole beneficiary.”
— The Independent on Dave Myers’ will
The Hairy Bikers’ story is now one of loss and survival. For Si King, the road ahead means deciding whether to keep the duo’s brand alive alone — or to let the final episode aired in March 2024 stand as the end of a two-decade partnership. For their fans, the legacy of motorcycle-fueled cooking adventures remains, but the future of new content rests on one man’s health and willingness to ride solo.
Related reading: Ed Balls: Biography, Career, and Family · Tess Daly biography: marriage, health, and career
walesonline.co.uk, youtube.com, express.co.uk, canadianpulse.net
For those wanting to learn more about the chef’s battle with cancer and his lasting impact, this article details Dave Myers illness and legacy.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Hairy Bikers still together after Dave Myers’ death?
Si King continues to manage the Hairy Bikers brand, but the performing duo is effectively ended by Myers’ death. King has not announced plans for future TV shows under the name.
Did Si King remarry after his divorce?
No, Si King has not remarried. He is currently single and has not publicly announced a new partner.
What type of cancer did Dave Myers have?
The exact type of cancer has not been disclosed by his family or representatives. He was diagnosed in 2022 and also developed anorexia during treatment.
How old was Dave Myers when he died?
Dave Myers was 66 years old when he died on February 28, 2024.
What is Si King doing now?
Si King is focused on his health and maintaining the Hairy Bikers’ online presence and legacy. He has not announced new TV projects.
Will The Hairy Bikers continue as a brand?
The official website and social media channels remain active, but no new television series have been announced since the final episode aired in March 2024.
How much is Si King’s net worth?
Si King’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. His earnings come from the Hairy Bikers TV series, cookbooks, and personal appearances.
Freddie Clarke is Senior Reporter at WordPatch.co.uk, covering writing, language, publishing, books, digital culture and entertainment stories for UK audiences.