Si King, the larger-than-life Hairy Biker, has offered a deeply moving insight into his life, family, and career in a rare and candid Desert Island Discs interview on BBC Radio 4 with Lauren Laverne. Known for his rollicking cooking shows alongside late partner Dave Myers, 59, King revealed the struggles and joys behind the laughter and the television persona, painting a portrait of grief, resilience, and lifelong friendship.
A Childhood Shaped by Loss
Born in Kibblesworth, Gateshead, Si was the youngest of three children. His father served in the Arctic Convoys during World War Two, a period marked by bravery and hardship. Tragically, Si lost his father at the age of eight following a failed double kidney transplant. He recalled how the devastating loss left a lasting mark on his childhood and shaped the bond he shared with his mother.
“Cooking with my mum was how we got through it. I grieved at the stove top,” he told Laverne. “It was her way of showing love and care, and I think that’s why I’ve always cooked from the heart.”
Si emphasized that he learned early the importance of emotion in cooking: “You can taste the love in food, but if you cook in a bad mood, that anger comes through.” These early lessons would later define not only his culinary philosophy but also the warmth and authenticity that endeared him to millions on television.
Motorbikes, Music, and Meeting Dave Myers
His love of motorbikes came through his uncle during his father’s illness, and Si’s teenage years were a mixture of adventure and mischief. He and his mother would ride through local estates without insurance, dodging the vigilant local policeman. Music was another outlet, and Si drummed in a band during school at St Robert of Newminster. However, parenthood arrived early: at 23, Si became a father and decided he needed a stable income.
This practical turn led him into television. He started as a runner on Byker Grove, giving lifts to Ant and Dec in his Ford Sierra. Over the years, his career evolved, culminating in his meeting with Dave Myers in 1992 while on a Catherine Cookson drama set. Myers, a make-up artist at the time, bonded instantly with Si over a shared love of food and motorcycles—a friendship that would last a lifetime.
“We got each other at that point. That’s where it became a lifelong friendship,” Si reflected. Together, they created a pilot program that blended cooking and travel, riding motorcycles through Barrow-in-Furness, cooking for locals, and bringing a fresh, irreverent style to British television.
The Hairy Bikers first appeared on TV in 2004 with The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, combining cooking with travel and adventure. The show’s success soon made them household names.
Triumph and Tragedy
Despite their fame, Si revealed that the success of the show came with heavy personal costs. The Bikers were contracted to work 200 days a year, often thousands of miles from home. The intense schedule put strain on his family life, particularly after his split from his first wife, Jane.
In 2014, life took another devastating turn when Si suffered a brain aneurysm while living alone during a separation from his wife. The aneurysm was spotted only after he noticed rugby players on his TV “falling off the screen,” leading him to seek urgent medical attention. The recovery was grueling, taking 18 months of extreme fatigue, during which even simple tasks, like making a cup of tea, could take over two hours.
“I was emotionally all over the shop,” he admitted. But even during this turbulent period, Si maintained the ethos he had learned in childhood: cooking and sharing meals were vital, grounding rituals that offered comfort and stability.
Dave Myers: Friendship Beyond Death
The most emotional segments of Si’s interview focused on his enduring friendship with Dave Myers, who tragically passed away in 2024 from cancer at the age of 66. Together, the duo had traveled over 650,000 miles on their motorcycles during filming—“the equivalent of travelling to the moon and back,” Si revealed.
Even after Dave’s death, Si insists their friendship remains unbroken. He continues to honour his late friend’s memory through community events such as Dave Day, when thousands of motorcyclists ride from London to Barrow-in-Furness to celebrate Myers’ life.
“It was amazing seeing the community come together,” Si said. “But it was frustrating he wasn’t there to see it—he would have absolutely loved it.”
The Hairy Bikers’ impact extends beyond television; they have fostered a sense of camaraderie and community among fans, particularly within the motorcycling and food lover networks.
Propa Food: Philosophy and Practice
Si has also applied his philosophy of heartfelt cooking to his Propa restaurant in the Sheepfolds, Sunderland. Here, local ingredients are prized, and sourcing is strictly controlled to within 60 miles, ensuring freshness and authenticity. Si emphasized fair treatment for his team:
“I’m a committed socialist in how I run my business. Everyone gets more than the living wage and is truly valued.”
His approach demonstrates a blend of ethical responsibility and culinary passion, reflecting the same love and care he learned in his youth from his mother.
Coping With Loss and Looking Ahead
Si’s reflections on grief are perhaps the most poignant aspect of the interview. He admits that grief never leaves you, and even as he continues with his professional life and personal endeavors, the sense of loss is constant. But he has learned to carry it with grace, leaning on family, friends, and the legacy of Dave Myers to navigate the challenges of life.
“Dave was all about the fight, keeping the motorcycle wheels turning. I was there to support him, just as I am here to carry him in my heart now.”
Si’s story resonates because it is about more than cooking or television fame—it’s about resilience, loyalty, and the enduring power of friendship and family. From childhood tragedy to career triumph, from personal health crises to the loss of a lifelong partner, King’s journey reflects the complexities of life lived with passion, heart, and a devotion to the people he loves.
As he prepares for future projects and continues to run his restaurant, Si remains a beloved figure—not just for his culinary expertise, but for the warmth, honesty, and humanity he brings to every plate, every motorbike ride, and every conversation he shares with fans.
