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
John Bishop announces latest Manchester gig arena tour dates
Danny Jones
Beloved British comedian John Bishop has announced another massive Manchester gig on his latest run of arena tour dates.
The well-known veteran of the North West and national stand-up scene at large is heading back to the region next year for his fresh batch of live stand-up shows.
Serving as the follow-up to his critically acclaimed hour from 2025, with these dates also serving as another opportunity for fans who missed out last time to see at least some of that material, John Bishop is no stranger to selling out Manchester arenas.
Returning to Co-op Live once again after his first two visits there this past autumn, Manc crowds can look forward to more of his usual scouse charm.
Confirming the new 2027 UK tour dates online this Friday, 23 January, Bishop said: “So excited to announce I’ll be heading back out on tour next year with my brand new show…. ‘Let’s Go Round Again'”
As he goes on to write, he’s set to play “some of the biggest venues across the UK and Ireland in April and May 2027”, simply adding, “Come and join me for a night to remember…”
The 59-year-old will be coming to Co-op Live on Sunday, 2 May.
His Co-op Live debut last October went down a storm, so it’s no surprise that we cousins down the Mersey were one of the first cities to be named on the new tour.
Bishop is enjoying a little bit of added renaissance at the moment, amid being at the centre of a Hollywood film starring Will Arnett and Bradley Cooper.
You can see the duo talking about the recent release down below.
Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett allowed themselves to be vulnerable when adapting John Bishop's life story 🎬 pic.twitter.com/B5DYBfDfJ8
The Everton-born comic was already 35 when he first started live stand-up, turning up at the Frog and Bucket comedy club on the edge of the Northern Quarter and choosing to go up on stage during an open mic night rather than paying the entry fee.
Already a successful salesman in the pharmaceutical industry, he chose to switch careers just before his 40th birthday and hasn’t looked back since.
It’s part of this real-life story that inspired the movie, Is Thing On? – which finally premieres here in the UK at the end of this month – and continues to make him a hugely popular touring UK comedian.
For anyone who fancies going along to see his new tour, you can sign up for early access through his mailing list or via the venue’s pre-sale for official Co-op Members.
Those windows open on Wednesday, 28 January from 10am; general admission will be available from the same time on the following Friday (30 Jan). You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
You can watch the trailer for the aforementioned motion picture here.
Trailer released for Netflix’s new Lucy Letby documentary with ‘unprecedented access’
Emily Sergeant
The trailer for Netflix’s new documentary about the investigation of Lucy Letby has been released.
The feature-length film about Lucy Letby – the infamous neonatal nurse who was found guilty of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others under her care at the Countess of Chester Hospital – hears for the first time from the police officers who investigated the case that shook the nation.
It features never-before-seen footage of Letby during her arrests and police questioning, and even includes interviews with experts and lawyers on both sides, as well as with the hospital consultants who initially raised the alarm.
Tragically, it also includes an anonymised interview with a mother of one of the victims, who also speaks for the first time about her experience and involvement in Letby’s trial.
Produced as a result of years of research and relationship-building, the film – simply titled The Investigation of Lucy Letby – is described as being the most ‘comprehensive’ look at one of Britain’s most notorious crimes, and traces developments from her arrest to trial in chronological order.
Viewers will be given ‘unparalleled and exclusive access’ to those central to the story.
“This was an exceptional and demanding project, marked by significant creative and ethical responsibility,” commented director, Dominic Sivyer. “Our aim was to craft a powerful, emotionally resonant depiction of the events surrounding the case.”
Caroline Short, Head of Global TV at ITN Productions – who produced the documentary – added: “The access to all our contributors came with a huge responsibility to present everyone’s perspectives with care and understanding.
“We are grateful to all those people who trusted us to tell their story.”