The Hairy Bikers have become a much-loved cooking duo on television in the UK. The duo consists of Dave Myers and Si King, and they have worked together since 1989. Although they are well-known for cooking on television, there are many things that people do not know about them. Here are 26 Hairy Bikers facts, including facts about Dave Myers, Si King facts, and other Hairy Biker facts about their career together.
Dave Myers Facts
- Myers is from Barrow-in-Furness
Dave Myers was born in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria on 8 September 1957. He attended Barrow-in-Furness Grammar School for Boys.
2. He Has a Master’s Degree in Art History
At school, Myers had an inspirational art teacher called Mr Eaton, says Wikipedia. After leaving school, he attended Goldsmiths, University of London. He earned a fine art degree and then went on to achieve a master’s degree in art history.
3. He Was a Makeup Artist
Before becoming a celebrity chef, Dave Myers was a professional makeup artist for film and television. His specialist area was prosthetics.
4. Myers Has Appeared in Pantomime
As he has become a well-known figure in the UK, Myers was invited to appear in pantomime. He played a supporting role in a production of Cinderella at the Hexagon Theatre in Reading in the 2014 to 2015 pantomime season.
5. Dave Myers Has Appeared as a Guest on Many Series
Dave Myers has appeared as a celebrity guest on many television show, including Loose Women, Richard & Judy, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Through the Keyhole and Would I Lie to You?
6. He Competed in Strictly Come Dancing
In 2013, Dave Myers was a competitor in series 11 of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. His partner was professional dancer Karen Hauer. Their time in the competition came to an end in the seventh week after performing the Tango.
7. Who is Dave Myers Wife?
Dave Myers wife is Romanian Liliana Orzac, and Myers is stepfather to her two children. Myers and his wife live in the Loire Valley in France.
8. When Did Dave Myers Die?
Sadly, Dave Myers died on 28th February 2024 after a long battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side.
Si King Facts
8. He Is from County Durham
Simon ‘Si’ King was born in Kibblewsorth, County Durham, on 20 October 1966. He attended the St Robert of Newminster Catholic School. His father was in the Royal Navy and served in World War II.
9. He Wanted to Become a Priest
It may seem unlikely now, but Si King originally wanted to become a priest. It was his ambition when he was about 13, but his interest in music and girls overtook his desire to enter the priesthood. His first job was working for a construction firm when he was 16.
10. He Worked in Film and Television Production
Like Dave Myers, Si King has also worked in film and television production. For ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’, Si King was the assistant location manager. He then became the location manager for ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.’
11. King Suffered an Intracranial Aneurysm
In 2014, Si King had a life-threatening health scare when he suffered from an intracranial aneurysm, a condition where there is a weakness in the wall of one or more of the brain’s blood vessels, leading to a bleed in the brain. Fortunately, Si King recovered following treatment in the hospital.
12. He Supports Newcastle United
One of Si King’s passions is football. He supports Newcastle United F.C., a Premier League football team.
13. Who Is Si King’s Wife?
Si King was married to Jane for 27 years, and the couple had three children. Sadly, their marriage ended in 2016. According to King, the marriage came to an end because his focus was his work, and his wife’s focus was the family. So, they just drifted apart, although they have remained close friends. Now, Si King is engaged to Australian chef Michele Cranston, and they plan to marry in 2021, says The Mirror.
Hairy Bikers Facts: Their Television Career
14. Met on the Set of a TV Drama
The Hairy Bikers met for the first time when they were both working on the set of a TV drama called ‘The Gambling Man’ in 1995. Si King was working with the production team, while Dave Myers was on the set as a makeup artist.
15. They First Hit TV Screens in 2006
UK viewers first saw the Hairy Bikers on television in 2006. Their first television series was ‘The Hairy Bikers Cookbook’. It ran for four series between 2006 and 2008. However, they renamed it ‘the Hairy Bikers Ride Again’ for series three, then ‘The Hairy Bakers’ for series four. They have since filmed more than 20 television series, along with many television specials.
16. Their Work Has Taken Them All Over the UK
Throughout their television career, filming has taken the Hairy Bikers throughout the UK. In their shows, they travel to various locations sampling the food of both professional chefs and home cooks. Therefore, there are elements of cooking, travelogues, and comedy to each of their programmes.
17. They Have Also Filmed Abroad
Travelling is also important to the Hairy Bikers’ television series, and they visit multiple locations across the globe. In the 2016 series ‘The Hairy Bikers- Chicken & Egg’, they travel to the UK, France, USA, Israel, and Morocco. They also travel around Asia in the 2014 series ‘The Hairy Bikers’ Asian Adventure’ and around Europe in ‘Hairy Bikers’ Mediterranean Adventure.’
18. The Hairy Bikers Presented a Chocolate-Making Competition
In 2018, Dave Myers and Si King were co-presenters of a television chocolate-making competition. The five-part Channel 5 series follows seven chocolatiers battling to create, brand, and launch their own chocolate.
Hairy Bikers Facts: Their Books
19. They Have Written an Autobiography
Although they are best known for publishing cookery and diet books, the Hairy Bikers have also published an autobiography. ‘The Hairy Bikers Blood, Sweat and Tyres: The Autobiography’ was published in 2016.
20. The Hairy Bikers Have Many Cookbooks
In addition to their television career, the Hairy Bikers have written cookbooks. The first of these was ‘The Hairy Bikers Cookbook’ in 2016. They have now published 16 Cookbooks in total. Most recently, they published ‘The Hairy Bikers’ Veggie Feasts’ in 2020.
21. The Hairy Bikers Also Have a Range of Diet Books
Of the interesting Hairy Bikers facts is that since they embarked on their weight loss and healthy eating journey in 2012, they have published a range of diet books. The first of these was ‘The Hairy Dieters: Eat for Life’, which was published in 2013. They have since published a further five diet books. The most recent book in the series is ‘The Hairy Bikers Make It Easy’, which was published in 2018.
22. They Have Won an Award
In 2012, the Hairy Bikers won the National Book Award for the Food & Drink Book of the Year for their book ‘The Hairy Dieters’.
Other Facts About the Hairy Bikers
23. The Hairy Bikers Are in the Grand Order of Water Rats
Both Si King and Dave Myers were initiated into the showbusiness charity the Grand Order of Water Rats in September 2017. Music hall comedians Joe Elvin and Jack Lotto are the founders of the organization.
24. They Have Their Own Diet Club
Although the Hairy Bikers were originally known for their love of hearty dishes, their approach to food changed in 2012 when they both decided to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. Together, the duo embarked on a campaign to lose 35 pounds in three months, a target which they both easily surpassed. Their success inspired them to help others, so they set up ‘The Hairy Bikers Diet Club‘. It aims to encourage people who love food to live a healthier lifestyle, and the members are offered tips and recipes.
25. There Is an American Version of the Duo
The Hairy Bikers inspired an American version of the series that ran for ten episodes. The stars of the series are Bill Allen and Paul Petranella. A spoof of the series featured in an episode of ‘South Park’.
26. The Hairy Bikers Did a Theatre Tour
In 2010, the Hairy Bikers went on tour together. ‘Big Night Out’ was performed in theatres throughout the UK. The Hairy Bikers cooked food, shared banter, and even performed songs and dance in the shows.
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