British Broadcasting CorporationTV chef Si King says the past few months have been a “struggle” following the death of Hairy Bikers costar Dave Myers.
Miles, who rose to fame as part of a motorcycle-riding cooking duo alongside his friend Kim of 30 years, died in February at the age of 66.
In 2022, Miles revealed that he had cancer and said he was undergoing chemotherapy.
in a First person article in The Sunday TimesKing, 57, said that while he was on the verge of “hopping on his bike and running off into the sunset”, he had decided to “do exactly what Dave wanted” and move on.
“I’ll tell you honestly, the last few months have been a struggle,” King said.
“More than once I almost jumped on my bicycle and rode off into the sunset.
“Don’t tell anyone where I’m going. Just walk away and never come back.
“Other times I was angry. Angry at the damn disease, at God and anything else I could think of. People asked me what I was going to do next.
“The answer is that I will take some time to reflect on my life and that of my best friend and consider moving forward.
“That’s what Dave wants. To move on and not dwell on the past.”
In June, thousands of motorcyclists traveled from London to Miles’ home town of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, as part of the first Dave’s Day. Motorcycle tour commemorating TV chef.
King has now revealed that he is putting together a new anthology of classic hairy biker recipes, adding that there are “some new projects coming soon”.
“But even if I end up doing nothing but making bacon sandwiches and playing a few gigs with my band, that’s okay with me. Happy days,” he said.
King described the pair’s last series together – which took place after Miles’ diagnosis – as “by far the most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
He said Myers’ illness was physically obvious, but once the cameras started rolling, “he would pick himself up and be ready to fight.”
South Shore Productions/PAKing recalled the memories he shared with Miles, particularly a camping trip in Namibia where they had a “spiritual experience” while looking up at the African sky, seeing their Milky Way “properly” for the first time.
He also recalled how their relationship was forged “over a tandoori chicken masala, four dosa and three pints of beer” after meeting on the set of TV series God of Gamblers in 1992.
“We first chatted about motorcycles, but it quickly became clear that Dave was as obsessed with food as I was,” he said.
The pair first appeared on television together in 2004’s The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, a half-cooking show and half-travel show that saw the pair cycle through Portugal in the first episode.
King said he is constantly asked whether the “hairy biker” left a legacy.
“Yeah, I think we’ve made some changes here and there,” he said.
“Just two regular guys trying beef rendang or apple pie. Hopefully we’ll get the attention of people who don’t normally watch trendy cooking shows on TV.”
King added: “Overweight, scruffy, working-class northerners don’t often get opportunities like furry bikers.
“It’s a beautiful and magical thing and I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss him. But I have a future and I’m excited for what happens next.”
