Dave Myers, affectionately known as the Hairy Biker, had meticulously planned his funeral arrangements and shared his heartfelt wishes before his passing at the age of 66. In an exclusive report by MailOnline, it was revealed that Dave envisioned an unconventional and uplifting send-off for his mourners, complete with pre-service cocktails and a feast of meat pies and chips accompanied by fine wine.
Dave, who passed away with his wife Lil and close friend Si King by his side, wanted his funeral to be a celebration of his life. He chose the rock anthem "The Best is Yet To Come" by The Scorpions as the song to accompany his coffin's procession, hoping it would bring cheer to the attendees. He also expressed his desire to be remembered as the man who never shied away from pursuing his dreams, urging others to reach for the stars and never limit their ambitions.
Although Dave's funeral is expected to take place in March, the beloved TV chef had already outlined his wishes years before his health declined. In a candid interview with Rob McGibbon for The Definite Article in the Daily Mail back in 2014, Dave disclosed his specific instructions for his final farewell. He envisioned serving vodka martinis before the church service to help everyone relax. He wanted the ceremony to begin with a reading of William Blake's "Innocence" followed by a performance of Vaughan Williams' emotionally poignant composition "Lark Ascending" to evoke tears and reflection. As his coffin was carried out, the spirited sounds of The Scorpions would uplift the gathering.
Dave also expressed his preference for a traditional burial, as he had reservations about cremation. For the post-funeral wake, he wanted to provide a sumptuous feast consisting of meat and potato pie, accompanied by chips and a selection of quality wines. Dave's intention was to ensure that his loved ones were not only comforted but also nourished during this time of remembrance.
Reflecting on his life and the journey that led him to become a beloved television personality, Dave attributed his greatest moment to meeting his dear friend and fellow Hairy Biker, Si King. Their encounter on the set of the Catherine Cookson series "The Gambling Man" in 1992 marked a turning point in Dave's life, providing him with a new career path and the opportunity to find love once again after the devastating loss of his fiancée to stomach cancer in the 1990s. Their friendship blossomed, leading to a remarkable partnership that forever altered the course of their lives and careers.
Dave cherished the moment when their hit show, "The Hairy Bikers," was commissioned by the BBC in 2005. The news of the series' success brought him immense joy and relief, as prior to that, he and Si had struggled to secure steady work. Suddenly, they were embarking on an adventure that would take them to six countries, sharing their love for food and travel with audiences worldwide. Dave fondly recalled the elation he felt, as if he were floating on air, knowing that he and Si had the opportunity to create their own show and explore their culinary passions.
It was during their time working together that Dave also found love once more. While filming in Romania, he met Lil, whom he affectionately called Lil. Despite having a "major regret" of not having children, Dave recognized how meeting Lil changed his life for the better. Lil already had two stepchildren, providing Dave with a ready-made family and a newfound sense of fulfillment.
Dave shared that the song "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley held special significance to him. It was playing everywhere in 2006 when he and Lil first met in Romania, and it even played during their first kiss. The melody now served as a time capsule, transporting him back to those cherished moments and evoking a blissful and nostalgic feeling. Dave and Lil eventually tied the knot in 2011.
However, amidst the joy and love he found in his later years, Dave also experienced profound sadness. The loss of his fiancée, Glynnis, to stomach cancer in 1998 shook his world to the core. He described the period as devastating and his worst nightmare, as he had to transition from planning a wedding to arranging a funeral. Dave held Glynnis in high regard, remembering her as a beautiful and wonderful person whose memory remained in his heart.
Looking ahead to his legacy, Dave expressed his desire to be remembered as the man who faced life head-on and embraced every opportunity. His philosophy was to encourage others to take chances and not limit their ambitions, always aiming high and striving for greatness. He shared his father's wisdom, reminding others that they must fill in their proverbial coupons if they wished to achieve their dreams.
As the last photos of the Hairy Bikers together emerged, showing Dave and Si lounging on a sofa, reminiscing about their TV appearances, the world mourned the loss of a beloved personality. Si King, heartbroken by the news, shared a poignant statement announcing Dave's passing, leavingDave Myers, popularly known as the Hairy Biker, left behind a touching testament of his funeral wishes before his demise at the age of 66. The details, unveiled by MailOnline today, paint a vivid picture of a man who wanted his final farewell to be a unique and uplifting experience for those bidding him farewell. Dave's meticulous planning encompassed everything from pre-service cocktails to a delectable feast, ensuring that his loved ones would remember him with joy and celebration.
Having passed away in the presence of his wife Lil and his close friend Si King, Dave envisioned his funeral as a celebration of his life and the memories he had created. One of his heartfelt requests was for his coffin to be accompanied by the energetic rock anthem "The Best is Yet To Come" by The Scorpions, hoping that it would bring a sense of cheer and optimism to all those in attendance. He also wished to be remembered as someone who never shied away from pursuing his dreams, imparting a valuable lesson to others: "Never limit your ambitions. Aim for the moon and you might just get there."
Although the exact date of Dave's funeral is expected to be in March, he had already conceptualized the proceedings well before his health took a turn for the worse. In a candid interview with Rob McGibbon for The Definite Article in the Daily Mail back in 2014, Dave revealed his final wishes with heartfelt detail. He envisioned serving vodka martinis before the church service, intending to create a relaxed and convivial atmosphere for all attendees. The ceremony itself was to commence with a reading of William Blake's "Innocence," followed by a soul-stirring performance of Vaughan Williams' evocative composition, "Lark Ascending," designed to elicit tears and introspection. As his coffin was carried out, the energetic sounds of The Scorpions would uplift the gathering, infusing the atmosphere with a sense of hope and positivity.
Dave also expressed his preference for a traditional burial, as he held reservations about the concept of cremation. For the post-funeral wake, he desired to provide a bountiful feast consisting of meat and potato pie, accompanied by chips and a selection of high-quality wines. In his thoughtful planning, Dave aimed to ensure that his mourners would be comforted and nourished during this time of remembrance.
Reflecting on the journey that led him to become a beloved television personality, Dave recognized meeting his dear friend and fellow Hairy Biker, Si King, as the most transformative event in his life. Their encounter on the set of the Catherine Cookson series "The Gambling Man" in 1992 marked the beginning of a remarkable friendship and partnership that forever changed their lives and careers. At the time, Dave worked as a make-up artist, while Si served as a locations director. Their shared love for good food and their infectious camaraderie propelled them forward, eventually leading to the creation of their hit show, "The Hairy Bikers," in 2005. The news of the show's commissioning by the BBC brought immense joy and relief to Dave, as it marked a turning point in their professional lives. From that moment, they were able to embark on a culinary adventure, traveling to six countries and sharing their passion for food and travel with audiences around the world.
During their journey together, Dave also found love once more. While filming in Romania, he had the serendipitous pleasure of meeting Lil, whom he affectionately referred to as Lil. Although he had a "major regret" about not having children, Dave acknowledged that meeting Lil had brought immeasurable joy and fulfillment to his life. Lil already had two stepchildren, instantly providing Dave with a ready-made family. Their love story unfolded against the backdrop of the song "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley, which held a special place in their hearts. It played ubiquitously in 2006, the year they met in Romania, and even accompanied their first kiss. The melody now served as a nostalgic time capsule, transporting Dave back to those cherished moments and enveloping him in a warm and happy glow. Dave and Lil eventually tied the knot in 2011, sealing their love for each other.
However, amidst the joy and love he found in his later years, Dave also endured profound sadness. The loss of his fiancée, Glynnis, to stomach cancer in 1998 shook his world to its core. He described that period as devastating and his worst nightmare, as he transitioned from planning a wedding to arranging a funeral. Dave held Glynnis in the highest regard, remembering her as a beautiful and remarkable person whose memory remained deeply etched in his heart.
Looking forward to his legacy, Dave desired to be remembered as the man who fearlessly embraced life's opportunities. He wanted his fans and the public to see him as someone who never hesitated to try new things and who encouraged others to chase their dreams without limitations. His life philosophy was encapsulated in his father's wise words: "You
Dave, who had been battling cancer for the past few years, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of February 28, 2024, surrounded by his wife Lili, his family, close friend David, and myself.
The news of Dave's passing has left all those who knew him devastated. His wife and her children, Iza and Sergiu, brought him immense happiness, and he loved them as his own.
Personally, I find it difficult to put into words how I'm feeling right now. My best friend is embarking on a journey that I cannot accompany him on for now. I will miss him every single day, cherishing the bond and friendship we shared over many years.
I wish you a swift journey, my brother. You have been and will continue to be a guiding light in this world. I'll see you on the other side. Love ya.
Dave and I first met while working in the film industry, he as a make-up artist and myself as a locations director. We connected through our shared love for food and motorbikes.
Throughout our careers, we gained a reputation as the friendly faces of TV cooking, collaborating on 31 different projects since our debut on the BBC in 2006.
Dave's family and I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who sent messages of support during these challenging times. Your messages meant the world to him, his family, and the entire Hairy Bikers team. We are deeply thankful for the kindness, generosity, and spirit you have shown.
Now, I kindly ask for some time and space for Lili, Dave's family, close friends, and myself to process the immense loss we have experienced. Rest assured, we will reconnect with you all in due time.
After his diagnosis, Dave took a brief hiatus from work before filming his final show with me. The show takes us on a journey across Britain, from Scotland to Devon, in The Hairy Bikers Go West. It is a series we will always remember.
The upcoming episode is scheduled to air on March 5, with weekly episodes continuing until March 19. In the latest episode, Dave and I explored Lancashire, reminiscing about our shared adventures and expressing joy at being back on the bikes together.
Dave's passion and dedication to his work were evident throughout the filming of this series, despite his health challenges. We are privileged to have shared this experience with him, and it will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
In addition to his culinary escapades, Dave made a lasting impression on Strictly in 2013, where he partnered with Karen Hauer. His lively cha cha routine to Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger" left the audience in stitches, showcasing his energetic and entertaining dance moves.
I, along with many others, am deeply saddened by the loss of Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers at the age of 66. His vibrant performances and genuine enthusiasm on the dance floor will be remembered.
Before his cancer diagnosis, Dave and I openly discussed our own health issues and embarked on a weight-loss journey in 2012 with The Hairy Dieters: How to Love Food and Lose Weight.
Dave was happily married to Liliana Orzac, whom he met while filming the Hairy Bikers in Romania. He embraced his role as a stepfather to Liliana's children, Iza and Sergiu, from her previous relationship.
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