Si King, the larger-than-life Hairy Biker, has revealed an extraordinary glimpse into his life, career, and the personal struggles behind his TV persona in a rare and emotional interview on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne. Known for his infectious laughter and larger-than-life chemistry with the late Dave Myers, 59, King reflected candidly on grief, friendship, and the winding road that led him from a childhood marked by tragedy to national fame as one half of Britain’s most beloved cooking duo.
A Childhood Shadowed by Loss
Born in Kibblesworth, Gateshead, Si was the youngest of three children. His father, a veteran of the Arctic Convoys in World War Two, instilled in him a respect for resilience, bravery, and hard work. But tragedy struck early: when Si was just eight, his father passed away after a failed double kidney transplant.
Recalling the profound impact of his father’s death, Si told Laverne, “Cooking with my mum was how we got through it. I grieved at the stove top. It was her way of showing love and care, and I think that’s why I’ve always cooked from the heart.”
These early experiences shaped not only his approach to cooking but his outlook on life. “You can taste the love in food, but if you cook in a bad mood, that anger comes through,” he explained. The lessons learned in his mother’s kitchen would later become a hallmark of his work with Dave, bringing warmth, authenticity, and humor to millions of homes across the UK.
Motorbikes, Music, and the Meeting of a Lifetime
Si’s teenage years were a blend of adventure, mischief, and creativity. His love for motorbikes came through his uncle during his father’s illness, and he often took to riding through local estates with his mother, dodging local authorities without insurance. Music was another outlet—Si drummed in a school band at St Robert of Newminster, channeling his energy into rhythm and performance.
Parenthood arrived early: at 23, Si became a father and decided he needed a stable income. This practical decision led him into television, where he began as a runner on the youth drama Byker Grove, giving lifts to the likes of Ant and Dec in his Ford Sierra. Over time, his career evolved, culminating in the fateful meeting with Dave Myers in 1992 on a Catherine Cookson drama set. Myers, then a make-up artist, and Si bonded instantly over shared passions for food and motorcycles, sparking a lifelong friendship that would define both of their careers.
“We got each other at that point. That’s where it became a lifelong friendship,” Si reflected. Together, they developed a pilot program blending cooking with travel, riding motorcycles through Barrow-in-Furness, and cooking for locals. This irreverent, adventurous approach to television would eventually lead to The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, which debuted in 2004 and made them household names.
Triumph, Exhaustion, and Personal Struggles
Despite their fame, the demands of the show came at a significant personal cost. Contracted to work 200 days a year, often thousands of miles from home, the schedule placed enormous strain on Si’s family life, particularly during his separation from his first wife, Jane.
In 2014, life threw another curveball when Si suffered a brain aneurysm while living alone. He noticed something was wrong when rugby players on his TV appeared to “fall off the screen.” The grueling recovery lasted 18 months, marked by extreme fatigue—simple tasks like making a cup of tea could take over two hours.
“I was emotionally all over the shop,” he admitted. But even amidst such turbulence, he maintained the principles instilled in him during childhood: the importance of cooking and sharing meals as grounding, comforting rituals.
Honouring a Friendship Beyond Death
Perhaps the most poignant part of Si’s interview focused on his relationship with Dave Myers, who tragically passed away in 2024 at the age of 66 from cancer. Together, the pair had traveled over 650,000 miles on their motorcycles during filming—the equivalent, Si notes, of traveling to the moon and back.
Even after Dave’s death, Si’s devotion to his friend’s memory remains unwavering. He continues to honour Myers through community events such as Dave Day, where thousands of motorcyclists ride from London to Barrow-in-Furness to celebrate his 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’ legacy, he emphasized, extends far beyond television, fostering camaraderie among fans, motorcyclists, and food enthusiasts alike.
Propa Food: Cooking with Heart and Ethics
Si has carried his philosophy of heartfelt, authentic cooking into his restaurant, Propa, located in the Sheepfolds, Sunderland. His approach prioritizes locally sourced ingredients within a 60-mile radius, emphasizing freshness, sustainability, and quality.
“I’m a committed socialist in how I run my business,” Si explained. “Everyone gets more than the living wage and is truly valued.” Propa is not just a restaurant; it’s a reflection of the values Si absorbed in his early years—care, integrity, and community spirit.
Grief, Reflection, and Moving Forward
Grief, Si admits, never fully leaves a person. Even as he continues to embrace his professional projects and personal endeavors, the loss of Dave Myers casts a constant shadow. Yet, he has learned to carry it with grace, relying on family, friends, and memories to navigate life’s challenges.
“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,” he said. This enduring devotion reflects the depth of their friendship and the impact of shared experiences over decades.
A Life of Passion and Humanity
Si’s journey—marked by personal tragedy, professional triumph, and profound friendship—resonates because it is about far more than cooking or TV fame. It is a story of resilience, loyalty, and the enduring power of human connection. From childhood losses to career highs, from health crises to the death of a lifelong partner, Si King’s life is a testament to living with passion, authenticity, and care for the people and communities he cherishes.
As he looks ahead to future projects and continues to oversee his restaurant, Si remains a beloved figure not merely for his culinary expertise but for his warmth, honesty, and humanity. Whether on-screen, on his motorbike, or in his kitchen, his legacy is defined not just by what he cooks, but by how he touches lives and honors the bonds that have shaped him.
Si King’s story reminds us that behind every larger-than-life TV personality lies a human being shaped by triumph and heartbreak, guided by values instilled long before the cameras ever rolled. It is these values—friendship, family, and fidelity to one’s passions—that have made the Hairy Biker a figure whose influence will be felt for generations to come.
