Hairy Biker Si King talks food and friendship on Desert Island Discs

Si King, famous as one half of the Hairy Bikers duo, recently reflected on his passion for food, the importance of family, and the deep friendship he shared with the late Dave Myers. Originating from Kibblesworth in Gateshead, King gained recognition through long-running BBC cookery shows alongside Myers, blending culinary arts with their love of motorbikes and travel. He revealed that cooking was more than just a profession or hobby; it was a way to express care and affection, a lesson he learned from his mother during difficult times.

King’s early life was marked by profound loss when his father passed away following a failed double kidney transplant when Si was only eight years old. To help navigate their grief, he and his mother would cook together, an experience that instilled in him the belief that food made with love carries a unique warmth. This philosophy continues to guide him: he advises against cooking while upset, as the negative emotions seep into the food. Additionally, King’s enthusiasm for motorbikes began during his youth when his uncle looked after him during his father’s illness, sparking a lifelong passion that would ultimately lead to his famous partnership with Myers.

Their paths crossed in 1992 on the set of a Catherine Cookson TV drama, where King, then a location manager, met Myers, who was working as a make-up artist. They quickly bonded over their shared interests, cementing a friendship that would evolve into a successful television career. Their first joint TV project, The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, debuted in 2004, combining travel and cooking as they toured on their motorbikes. Over the years, King estimated that the two had traveled around 650,000 miles by bike during filming, a distance equal to a round trip to the moon. Despite the success, King admitted the demanding schedule—often involving 200 days of filming annually—came at a personal cost, impacting his family life and contributing to his eventual separation from his first wife.

The bond between King and Myers remained exceptionally close until Myers’ death in 2024 from cancer. King described how he remained by his friend’s side throughout the illness, supporting both Dave and his wife, Lili. Reflecting on his grief, King said it “never leaves you” and acknowledged the lasting sense of loss despite the enduring community support that had formed around Myers. Even after Dave’s passing, King emphasized that Myers was still his best friend. King also shared details about his own health scare in 2014 when he suffered a brain aneurysm, a challenging period that took considerable time to recover from emotionally and physically. Today, King continues to value sincere connections and maintains a commitment to “propa” food, sourcing ingredients locally and running his businesses with a strong social conscience

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More