The wife of Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers has shared a heartfelt admission as a memorial ride held in his memory draws to a close. TV star Dave died in February 2024 aged 66 following a battle with cancer, and following his death thousands of motorcyclists honoured him by travelling from London to his hometown of Barrow in Cumbria in what was dubbed Dave Day. The occasion took place again in 2025 but is concluding with a final journey this year, which the late presenter's wife Lili has described as 'The Last Ride Home'.
Appearing on BBC Breakfast, she acknowledged she would 'miss' the memorial event as she shared how it helped amid her grief. Presenting the feature about Dave Day, the programme's host Naga Munchetty explained that 'Dave's wife, Lili, says the event, in her husband's name, has proven to be a source of strength and solace over the past few years'.
'Dave Day has been such a revelation for me,' said Lili. 'I don't remember much about the first year of bereavement. It's kind of a mist. I only remember snippets of that year. But Dave Day gave me something that was solid. There were people who were expressing their love for my husband, the biking community, amazing. Then the community of Barrow, and I didn't feel on my own.'
She continued: 'I will miss it, of course, because it's such a wonderful, wonderful expression of love. In my opinion, we've just united the south part of the country to the northern part of the country through the snaking motorbikes on the motorways. It's amazing what this man is doing even after he's passed,' she remarked.
Lili also shared how her late husband continues to influence the way she approaches life. 'I chose to live in joy because this is the way he lived his life, with joy,' she explained.
Writing a tribute to Dave on Instagram before the final Dave Day on Saturday (June 20), Lili expressed: 'Tomorrow we are doing The Last Ride Home. We'll be riding the country roads in your honour. I'll take you with me, in my heart, and so will thousands of bike riders! You inspired many of us to live life to the fullest and never settle for half measures! And that's exactly what we are doing tomorrow. "Every man has two deaths, when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name. In some ways men can be immortal." You, Dave, are immortal.'
Dave, who formed the Hairy Bikers alongside Si King, made his diagnosis public in May 2022. In February 2024, Si shared a statement on Instagram confirming: 'Last night, on 28th February 2024, with Lili, Dave's wife, his family, close friend David and myself by his side, he passed away peacefully at home.'
BBC Breakfast airs on BBC One from 6am.
