As one half of the beloved cooking duo, the Hairy Bikers, Si King has spent the last few decades delighting audiences with his infectious energy, charismatic personality, and unparalleled culinary skills. But in the wake of his dear friend and co-star Dave Myers’ passing, King has been forced to confront a painful new reality that has left him struggling to find his footing.
In a raw and candid first-person account for The Sunday Times, King reveals the grief and turmoil he’s experienced since losing his longtime collaborator and closest confidant. “I’ll be honest with you; the past few months have been a struggle,” he confesses. “More than once, I was on the verge of jumping on my bike and heading into the sunset. Not tell anyone where I was going. Just clear off and never come back.”
King’s words paint a poignant picture of a man grappling with the overwhelming sense of loss and the daunting prospect of moving forward without his beloved “best mate.” The pair’s unique bond, forged over three decades of shared experiences, was the foundation upon which the Hairy Bikers’ success was built. And now, with Myers gone, King finds himself adrift, unsure of where to turn next.
“Other times, I was raging,” he admits. “Raging at that bloody disease, at God, and anything else I could think of. People were asking what I was going to do next.” But rather than succumbing to the temptation to disappear, King consciously honored his friend’s memory by doing “exactly what Dave would have wanted” – pressing onward and embracing the future.
This resolve is evident in King’s plans, which include putting together a new anthology of classic Hairy Bikers recipes and exploring “a few new projects on the horizon.” And while he acknowledges that he could be content “doing nothing more than making bacon sarnies and playing a few gigs with [his] band,” his words show a palpable sense of excitement and determination.
Reflecting on the Hairy Bikers’ legacy, King expresses a quiet pride in their unique perspective on the culinary landscape. “Overweight, scruffy, working-class northerners don’t often get presented with an opportunity like the Hairy Bikers,” he muses. “It was beautiful, magical, and I’ll miss it. I’ll miss him.”
The duo’s ability to connect with viewers who may not have traditionally engaged with “swanky cooking programs” is a testament to their genuine rapport and innate understanding of the power of food to bring people together. For King, realizing they’ve left an indelible mark is a bittersweet consolation in the face of his profound grief.
As he navigates this new chapter, King’s journey is undoubtedly marked by both heartache and hope. The loss of his closest friend and collaborator is palpable, and his admitted desire to “jump on [his] bike and head into the sunset” poignantly reflects the depth of his sorrow. Yet, his determination to honor Dave’s memory and forge ahead with new projects speaks to the resilience and strength of spirit that have defined his career.
In the end, Si King’s candid musings serve as a potent reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, the human spirit has an innate capacity for growth, reinvention, and finding joy amid darkness. King’s path may be uncertain as the Hairy Bikers’ legacy continues to inspire and delight audiences worldwide. Still, it is undoubtedly paved with the love and support of those touched by his and Dave’s memorable partnership.