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.
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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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”.
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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
A new Shrek-themed cafe has opened at Primark in Manchester
Thomas Melia
There’s a new Shrek-themed cafe in Manchester city centre – and Donkey’s prayers for waffles have finally been answered by none other than clothing retailer Primark.
The back corner of the bargain fashion store on Market Street has been taken over by vines and fairytale characters as Shrek comes to town.
The cafe has been home to many iconic brands since its launch, one of the most notable being its 2019 debut as Central Perk, the go-to coffee hot-spot from TV Series Friends.
Shrek himself will also be paying a visit to the store in the coming weeks to sample some of the delicious delights customers can try such as nachos, waffles, shakes and bubble teas – each one with an ogre twist (yes, that is green cheese you see).
The Cafe is Shrek-ogeddon from head to toe with the menu paying homage to some familiar faces from the franchise.
Shoppers can indulge in ‘Fairy Godmother’s Potions’ which are a selection of sweet fruity concoctions, or treat your tastebuds to some Swampchos or Toastie ‘Slabs’, which are more appetising than they sound.
The grand entrance to the Shrek cafe in ManchesterA mural dedicated to the main ogre himself – Shrek!Inside the Shrek Cafe at Primark Credit: The Manc Group
After all those scrumptious snacks you’ll definitely be saying ‘I Need A Hero’ as you face your own battle – the dreaded food coma.
The Shrek Far Far Away Cafe will be a Manchester mainstay til the beginning of November, giving everyone the opportunity to have their happy ever after.
There’s also a handful of Shrek merchandise available storewide that fans and customers alike can get their hands on all-year-round.
Tim Kelly, director of new business development at Primark said: “We’ve gone Far, Far Away to find the inspiration for our latest cafe theme, bringing all the fun in the kingdom to our Primark cafes”.
“Our revolving themes have been so popular with our customers, giving them more reasons to visit their local store. We can’t wait to welcome fans to the cafes and hope they enjoy our limited-edition menu fit for a fairytale!”
And if that wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, fans of the iconic film franchise have just over two years to wait until Shrek 5 debuts in theatres on 1 July 2026.
You can visit the Shrek Cafe at Primark on Market Street and at the Trafford Centre in Manchester now.
Mancs wanted for new BBC adventure travel show with ‘life-changing’ prize
Emily Sergeant
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? This might just be your calling then.
The BBC is currently casting for a brand-new travel adventure series.
At this point, not a great deal is known about the new series, with a lot of the details seemingly being kept under wraps, but the broadcaster has revealed that the show currently has the working title of ‘Destination X’, and is being described as “the world’s biggest guessing game”.
The show’s producers, Twofour, are on the look-out for budding travel enthusiasts who love solving clues, playing detective, and outsmarting their competition.
Not only does the experience promise to be “an epic journey”, but there’s also the chance to win a life-changing prize.
Casting is closing towards the end of this week (6 September), and filming for the show is set to begin next month and run through to November.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call for the show on the BBC website, producers Twofour wrote: Have you got what it takes to play the world’s biggest guessing game? Twofour are now casting for the BBC’s brand new travel adventure series. If you love solving clues, playing detective and outsmarting your competition, then we want to hear from you.
“This experience promises to be an epic journey, with a chance to win a life-changing prize.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the exciting new series are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of this Friday (6 September 2024), and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.