Hairy Bikers Star Si King Confronts Guilt in First Solo Television Venture
Si King, one half of the beloved Hairy Bikers duo, has candidly shared his emotional turmoil upon returning to television for a solo project following the tragic loss of his co-star and close friend, David "Dave" Myers. Myers, who gained immense popularity alongside King on the BBC's iconic cooking and motorcycling series, passed away at the age of 66 in 2024 after a battle with cancer. King described filming his inaugural independent show, Channel 4's Top of the Stops, without Myers as an "odd experience" that stirred deep feelings of guilt.
A Heartfelt Admission on Desert Island Discs
In a poignant interview with Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, King revealed the profound impact of Myers' absence. "The first year, I didn't want to do anything at all, I just didn't have it in me," he confessed. "And then when I was shooting the show, I felt a sense of guilt that I was doing something when he wasn't there. It was a very odd experience, because I was having to remember and deliver pieces to camera that I'd go 'ah, you can do this'."
Despite the emotional challenges, King found solace in his production team. "What was wonderful was that I had my lovely, lovely, gorgeous, talented crew, and the creative shorthand just came back like that," he said. "It was wonderful, it was just odd that he wasn't there."
Reflecting on Myers' Legacy and Personal Struggles
King also reflected on Myers' courageous decision to "fight" following his cancer diagnosis, emphasizing their shared focus on "keeping those motorcycle wheels turning." The immense success of the Hairy Bikers, however, came with significant personal costs. King disclosed that the demanding schedule—contractually requiring 200 days of work per year—created distance from his family and friends, contributing to his separation from his ex-wife, Jane.
"It just changes you," King explained. "I'd seen so much I didn't know what to say anymore. I didn't know what to say to anybody. Because I'm not there, I don't know the day-to-day of everybody's lives, and what the crack is. What then happens is that you become, as a person, very inconsistent emotionally because you don't know where to put it."
He added, "And that's very difficult for Jane particularly, the mother of my children, and it's the most destructive thing because nobody ever knows where they are, and there's no sense of deep security there, which was the antithesis of what I wanted. I don't mind admitting that I completely lost myself. But that was a very private thing for me and my family and my friends. And it wasn't horrible. It was just well, he's away from home and living in this mad world."
The Enduring Legacy of the Hairy Bikers
The Hairy Bikers left an indelible mark on British television, publishing numerous cookbooks and presenting a variety of shows, including The Hairy Bikers Ride Again, The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour Of Britain, The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best, The Hairy Bikers' Cook Off, and Hairy Bikers' Best Of British. King's interview offers a rare glimpse into the personal sacrifices behind their public success.
The full conversation with Si King is available on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, airing from Sunday, March 29, at 10 am, providing listeners with an intimate portrait of grief, resilience, and the complexities of life in the spotlight.
