Viewers have been left “in tears” as the emotional final episode of Hairy Bikers featuring Dave Myers aired last night.
Dave Myers – who was most well-known for being one half of the famous Hairy Bikers duo that starred in the BBC cookery and travel show of the same name, alongside Si King – sadly died late last month (28 February 2024) after revealing back in May 2022 that he had been diagnosed with cancer, and was undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Hi everyone, I’m afraid I bear some sad news. Most of you will know Dave has been fighting cancer for the past couple of years. 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. All… pic.twitter.com/VwoZkm8TJI
Prior to his death, Myers appeared on BBC Breakfast in January 2023, and as well as giving an update on his continuing treatment during the interview, he also announced that new series of The Hairy Bikers TV show would air in 2023 and 2024, with the final episode airing some time in early 2024.
And last night, that finale finally came.
Viewers tuned in in their tens of thousands to watch the final episode of the beloved show that has been entertaining the masses for countless series and one-off specials for close to two decades.
Airing on BBC Two, with the episode also now available to watch on BBC iPlayer, the last episode of the seven-part Hairy Bikers Go West series – which has followed Dave and Si on a 650-mile road trip down the West Coast, of which Dave was receiving chemotherapy treatment throughout the duration of filming – saw the pair visit Lympstone Manor in Devon, which is run by Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines, before drawing to a close in Dorset.
The last-ever episode of the Hairy Bikers aired on BBC Two last night / Credit: BBC
In what was a truly candid moment at the end of the episode, Dave told the camera: “It’s been tough at times. I’ve had chemotherapy all the time we’ve been filming, it hasn’t been easy, but we’ve got there and it’s a wonderful feeling.”
Si then said: “We’ve done it, but more importantly, he’s done it”.
Then, after starting to well-up and become visibly emotional, he added: “He’s my mate, but I love him like family, like a brother, and I’m lost for words. It’s quite remarkable what he’s done,” before addressing Dave directly and saying it’s a “pay-off to your hard work, to your will, and to your effort.”
A beaming Myers then responded: “It’s a dream come true Kingy”, and as the episode drew to a close, the pair of best buds are seen sitting together on a bench, reflecting on the trip they’ve just taken together.
“Well, we’ve made it,” a visibly-moved Si said as the final words before the credits rolled.
After the final credits had finished, an image of Myers was shared with the message: “In loving memory of our friend, Dave Myers, 1957-2022”.
Fans of the show have been taking to social media in their hundreds to share their emotional reactions to the final episode, with many admitting they’d been left “in tears”.
Just watched that last @HairyBikers episode and it was extremely moving and very beautiful x
I never thought I would get emotional about a cookery programme, but watching the last episode of @HairyBikers reduced me to tears. What a lovely friendship and so sad that the wonderful Dave Myers is no longer with us 💔
On X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan wrote: “I never thought I would get emotional about a cookery programme, but watching the last episode of Hairy Bikers has reduced me to tears. What a lovely friendship and so sad that the wonderful Dave Myers is no longer with us”, while another added: “I cried my eyes out. What a special friendship they share on screen, I’m so happy they got to do this”.
Another equally-emotional viewer wrote on X: “Just watched that last Hairy Bikers episode, and it was extremely moving and very beautiful.”
One fan summed it all up perfectly, by writing: “If you missed last night’s Hairy Bikers, then you missed one of the best demonstrations of true friendship.
“Grief is the price we pay for love.”
Featured Image – BBC
TV & Showbiz
Strictly Come Dancing favourite Oti Mabuse is hosting a free dance class in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
One of Strictly Come Dancing’s best-loved professionals, Oti Mabuse, is going to be hosting a free family dance class in Printworks this month.
The two-time Strictly champion will be getting Mancs jiving and waltzing with a fun and inclusive workshop, geared towards all ages and abilities.
Whether you’ve got a little one desperate to boogie or have two left feet yourself but love to dance, this event is for you.
Oti will be bringing her world-class moves and infectious energy to Printworks, dancing beneath Europe’s largest digital ceiling just in time for the show’s glittering premiere, screened on the huge gaming screen.
After your own dancing workshop you can watch Strictly Come Dancing’s first show as the new cast of celebs and professionals hit the famous dance floor.
The evening will kick off at 6.10pm on Saturday 20 September, with a dance class led by Oti followed by the launch episode screened on the giant Printworks gaming screen.
Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse. Credit: Michael WharleyOti will lead a dance class beneath the digital ceiling at Printworks
Ahead of the event, Oti Mabuse said: “I’m so excited to be coming to Manchester’s Printworks! It’s such an iconic venue, and I can’t wait to feel everyone’s energy and see how the city comes alive here – show me what you’ve got!”
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “Printworks is the ultimate city centre destination for anyone ready to catch the Strictly fever.
“Europe’s largest digital ceiling will feature bold, bright and energy-inducing content to compliment the unique dance class led by the dancing queen herself Oti Mabuse, it’s set to be an unforgettable experience.”
Don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the UK’s most celebrated (and twice-decorated with the glitterball trophy) performers – book your spot HERE.
The adopted Manc indie pop star with that we’re backing to win the Mercury Prize this year
Danny Jones
The 2025 Mercury Music Prize shortlist is officially out, and we’re proud to say that the North has been well represented once again this time around, with multiple names from the top end of the nation featured among the nominees – including an adopted Manchester-based rising star.
You know what, cratch that: she might as well be a Manc music queen at this point, if you ask.
We may be heavily biased here, but with indie and alt-pop artist CMAT making her way onto the Mercury Music Prize award shortlist this year, our vote is practically already cast.
If you haven’t listened to CMAT yet, then you’re seriously missing out, and following the release of her latest LP, Euro-Country, at the end of August, it’s little surprise she’s earned the Mercury nod.
She may be Irish-born, but the ‘Dubyone Diana’ truly started to make a name for herself in Manchester, and you’re damn right we’re taking her as one of our own.
Moving to 0161 as a teenager with her old band, Bad Sea, she was just 17 when she got here; now 29 and making fairly different music to the kind she did as part of the previous duo, she’s grown massively in popularity over the last few years – and she’s done a lot of it from right here in Greater Manchester.
From playing the city centre music venue circuit to stunning crowds at the likes of Kendal Calling and Glastonbury Festival, she’s come a long way in a relatively short amount of time.
Come on, if this isn’t award-winning energy, then we don’t know what is…
We welcome her to keep leaning into country music as much as she wants.
There’s another reason we want CMAT to win the Mercury Prize
It isn’t just because we’re somewhat biased local fans that we’re putting our money on her winning the 2025 Mercury Prize: she nearly already did this time last year for her sophomore outing, Crazymad, For Me, having released three impressive studio albums in less than 36 months.
“As she was reading it, I had this weird flip in my stomach, that I didn’t want to win the Mercury Prize for THAT record, because I had a feeling I could make something better.
“Two days later, I started to make EURO-COUNTRY. The Mercury Prize put a bottle rocket up my bum, to try and do something a bit more cutting edge and experimental and intense, if that makes sense.”
She signed off by adding, “I didn’t necessarily expect to be nominated again as a result, but I am very happy to have been.” We had a feeling she would, to be honest, hence why she was among our artists of the month – not even a fortnight before the shortlist was announced, no less.
Unsurprisingly, the likes of Fontaines D.C. and Sam Fender are also on there after a standout 12 months for both artists, but we’re sticking with CMAT for our 2025 Mercury Prize winner. After all, surely she can’t miss out two years in a row?
Emily Sergeant -
20th March 2024 
