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.
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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.
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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”.
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”.
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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
BBC’s Football Focus to end after more than half a century
Danny Jones
In a fairly shocking bit of broadcasting news, Football Focus is ending after more than half a century on our screens.
Announced on Thursday, 23 April, the once flagship show and weekly TV guide staple for countless British households is set to be cancelled after 52 seasons’ worth of coverage.
With BBC Sport confirming the tough decision in a lengthy statement, the long-running show will be taken off the air at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
Most programmes like these have seen declining audiences across the board in the era of streaming and digital packages across various platforms, but this is truly the end of an era.
An incredible 52-year journey comes to an end.
Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season.
First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have… pic.twitter.com/bmHQqQdf6J
An official social media post reads: “An incredible 52-year journey comes to an end. Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season. “First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have worked on it over the years and, of course, the audience. The programme has been a staple of the BBC’s football coverage for decades, providing fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.
“But changing audience behaviours mean fans are now increasingly consuming football content in different ways, and we need to respond appropriately as we face difficult decisions around how the licence fee is spent.”
Second only really to Match of the Day (MotD), which first began a whole decade prior to its once equally popular spin-off, Gary Lineker, Manish Bhasin, Alex Scott and others have all enjoyed varying periods hosting the regular weekend watch.
While even MotD has seen steadily dipping viewing figures, not just following the Lineker departure/saga, but ever since YouTube highlights and the social media era.
The statement goes on to say: “Fans are accessing discussion, highlights, analysis and news through digital platforms and on-demand viewing, and as viewing habits continue to evolve, it is right that BBC Sport adapts how it brings football coverage to the widest audiences across television, radio, online and to its extensive social platforms. BBC Sport boasts a strong football rights portfolio and is set to significantly expand its digital output this year, growing content across BBC platforms, as well as a bold new slate of exclusive shows on YouTube.
“Featuring fresh formats, big personalities and more frequent, always-on content tailored for digital audiences, the expansion will bring fans closer to the game than ever before, delivering more high-quality, accessible and engaging football coverage at scale. We will release further details on these plans in the coming months.”
Will you miss it? Perhaps more to the point, do you still watch Match of the Day, Soccer Saturday and the like on terrestrial telly?
Bask is BACK – bosses confirm return to ‘golden era’ of popular Stockport spot
Danny Jones
In brilliant news for Stopfordians, Bask is officially coming back, as current boss Jon Fitzpatrick is bringing back one of the key core members of the OG owners and staff, co-founder Benji Taylor.
Very exciting times for the town centre.
While local DJ, musician and entrepreneur, Jon, is the man behind the Irish-American bar and grill reboot under his surname that began in June of 2025, the business has gone on to become more of a morning and afternoon venue in the time since then.
However, with the help of Benji returning after a bit of well-deserved time off and having spent a period working on other ventures, they’re looking to dip back into the evenings as well and make this more of an all-day spot.
Writing a statement in the caption of the post, the duo said, “We couldn’t be more proud to announce that Bask is back, and we are pleased to reveal one of the original crew returns to help our team return it to the golden era.
“Live music, great bands, entertainment all week, and non-stop fun. We’re not a late-night venue like it was recently; we want to keep it mature and [aim] to enhance the experience for our customers.
“Our daytime, sport and relaxed atmosphere won’t change, and our kitchen will actually be open later than it is now! We have many goals, but our main aim is to put credible, exciting live music back on the Stockport map. With Benji and Jon’s experience, it’s gonna be a magical time for Stopfordians.”
We met face-to-face with the prolific pair last week, and they made it clear that their shared vision is simple: marry Fitzpatrick’s steady daytime trade with the initial magic of that very first iteration of Bask.
Get it right, and they could very well create a new all-seasons superpower on the Stockport bar scene, as the brand certainly had a taste of that when they first captured attention with inside that packed-out unit just outside the train station.
Speaking to The Manc, the Bask boys admitted it was a “real shame” how things transpired towards the end of the previous setup, acknowledging that trouble with some problematic punters (especially in the early hours of the morning) effectively “spoiled” what became a weekly pilgrimage for many others.
That’s why, although they’re opening well into the evening and nighttime – with a full schedule of regular events such as live music, stand-up, karaoke, quizzes, darts nights and more already lined-up – they haven’t gone for a late license this time around, as they want to preserve what made it special.
Set to fully re-launch on 1 May from 5pm onwards, we’re expecting them to be off to the races the second the word about the comeback spreads.
Ben and Jon also still believe that in the era post-Bamboo in Hazel Grove closing, Stockport hasn’t really had a well-known and reliable night out, comparable to that kind of experience. Other than here.
Now, Bask isn’t a club, nor was it ever supposed to be; it was a bar that, on its day, was one of the biggest parties in all of Greater Manchester, and although it won’t be ’till two’ this time around, we can’t wait to see the gang get back to their best.
Locals will also be glad to hear that borough favourite Stock Party will also be returning this summer, and you can bet on seeing some familiar native faces taking part.
Emily Sergeant -
20th March 2024 
