‘The Hairy Bikers: You’ll Never Ride Alone’, to be broadcast on BBC2 and iPlayer on 23 December 2024 at 9pm, is bound to be a fitting tribute by Si King to his fellow Hairy Biker and best friend, Dave Myers. In a special BBC documentary, Si will pick out the key moments to celebrate their 25 years of friendship. Over two and a half decades, together they hosted 30 TV series and one-off specials and wrote 27 cook books, all of which changed the concept of cookery shows forever.
A memorial journey
The documentary followed the 45,000 bikes that joined Si on a memorial journey from London to Dave’s hometown of Barrow-in-Furness in April this year. Si explained:
“It was a very special show to pull together. Full of nostalgia, laughs and celebration of my best friend and his life.”
Motorcyclists from across the UK met up to ride in a convoy to pay tribute to the late TV star, who died from cancer in February 2024, at the age of 66. For Si King, the emotional ride was his last as a Hairy Biker, as he closed the chapter on an incredible 25 years of memories with his biking brother. Andrew Mackenzie, one of the Executive Producers of the documentary, alongside Melanie Leach, said :
“The outpouring of love for The Hairy Bikers this year has been extraordinary, and it was a real honour for everyone who has worked with them to document ‘Dave Day’ and celebrate Si and Dave’s friendship over the past two decades.”
A mixture of food, travel and banter
With archive, new interviews, and previously unseen footage to celebrate Dave’s life, the programme charts a journey that takes Si and his Hairy Biker partner around the world, cooking up a storm by mixing food, travel and banter as one of television’s greatest ever double acts. Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning and Factual Entertainment and Events described the legacy of the bakers:
“Dave and Si hold a very special place in the nation’s heart, and this emotional film pays tribute to an extraordinary friendship.”
The Hairy Bikers’ road trips took them to every corner of the UK, as well as criss-crossing Europe, America and Asia, bringing new ideas and twists to old time favourites, always demonstrating a wealth of culinary expertise. Over time, they were happy to adapt their recipes to changing lifestyles in diet, and were always keen to promote local produce.
What’s your favourite?
Everyone will have their own favoured recipe but amongst the vast collection, I’ve picked out my go-to ones from The Hairy Bikers Go North programmes, which featured their signature bakes.
Famous for their pies, especially in Dave’s home town of Barrow-in-Furness, there has to be ‘Steak and ale pie’, a fabulous winter warmer
Coming up to the Christmas season, there’s always time to create the ‘Christmas veggie Wellington’. It’s a fabulous take on the famous meat version.
And who can resist their glorious ‘Frangipane mince pies’?
Forever in our hearts, raise a toast to salute this legend of the culinary world!
