Dave Myers – updates: Si King leads tributes as Hairy Bikers stars dies aged 66

TV chef Paul Hollywood said he was “gutted” to hear Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers had died aged 66.

Commenting on the announcement post shared by Myers’ co-star Si King on Instagram, the Great British Bake Off judge said: “Gutted Si, this is terrible news! Love to all mate xx.”

A statement said: “We are devastated to hear of Dave Myers’ passing and send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.

“We are immensely proud to have published the Hairy Bikers for over 14 years and will truly miss Dave’s infectious energy and passion for food and travel.

“There was never a dull moment working with Dave, and all who were lucky enough to do so will attest to what a brilliantly inspiring and kind and hardworking man he was.

“This is a huge loss, and all our love goes out to Si, Lil and Dave’s wider family at this time.”

Myers said he did not want to specify the type of cancer he had because he felt as though the public might start drawing conclusions about his health.

Myers told The Guardian in 2022 that he decided not to disclose what type of cancer he had “because everybody then goes Googling, everybody becomes an amateur doctor… And I don’t want to be judged – yet.”

“I only met Dave once & he was so full of love for the world. Rest In Peace Kind Man,” wrote Vorderman.

She praised King’s “beautiful post” about his best friend Myers.

Media personality Rusell Grant has remembered Myers as “gentle and kind”.

“I worked with the Hairy Bikers on a BBC Christmas special, they were so welcoming and a joy to film with. At only 66 Dave Myers has left us,” wrote Grant on X/Twitter.

“He was gentle and kind: I followed his Strictly appearances as a friend. Sending love to Si who must be devastated and those close to him.”

Ricky Minns, 49, has created a muddy portrait of Myers and his on-screen partner Si King after hearing the news of Myers’s death.

Minns, who creates art using mud, wiped away muck from his van to draw their faces.

Sharing a picture of his creation to X/Twitter, Minns wrote: “Such sad news. Did this as soon as I heard. Was quite a quick one as raining and cold but I had to do it.”

“To one of the wonderful @HairyBikers from one of the Hairy Artists.”

Throughout his cancer treatment, Myers continued to share candid details about his health in several episodes of their series, but decided he would never publicly reveal what type of cancer he was diagnosed with, because he worried the public might start drawing conclusions about his health.

He told The Guardian in 2022 that he had never announced which type “because everybody then goes Googling, everybody becomes an amateur doctor… And I don’t want to be judged – yet.”