Dave Myers moved viewers to tears as he gave an emotional health update during The Hairy Bikers Christmas special.
The 66-year-old chef gave an update on his recent diagnosis while also explaining the reason why he hasn't publicly disclosed the type of cancer he was diagnosed with.
While much of the Christmas special focused on his and co-star Si King's love of food, Dave also shared insight into his recent battle with cancer, including unreleased clips of his hospital treatment.
When Dave talked about the moment he found out he had cancer, he recalled receiving a call from his doctor while driving on the highway in France.
“I can't remember the rest of the drive home, it was like everything collapsed around us,” his wife Liliana added.
Dave Myers moved viewers to tears as he shared an emotional health update during The Hairy Bikers Christmas special
“It's like, 'Where do we go from here?'” Dave continued. “When I first got the call, disbelief went through my mind and in some ways I refused to believe it.
“It's the word, isn't it? The word everyone fears.”
He added that the moment it “got real” was when Dave first went for chemotherapy, before it “got real” when he lost all his hair.
“The first chemotherapy treatment was very, very destructive,” Dave said, recalling how an oncologist told him that he would be pushed “to the brink of disease.”
“You don’t realize the impact it can have, the debilitating effects come on pretty quickly.”
“My sense of taste and appetite have decreased, I've been feeling unwell, you can see your weight coming off and you need to eat, but it's about finding something you want to eat.” I had sores in my mouth. I would fall over quite often.'
“It has been difficult and it is hard to imagine him struggling physically with the effects of the treatment,” Liliana added.
“During the second round of chemotherapy my hair fell out. “It's quite radical really, it's not a gradual molt, your hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, it all just goes away,” Dave continued.
The 66-year-old chef gave an update on his recent diagnosis while also explaining the reason why he hasn't publicly disclosed the type of cancer he was diagnosed with
While much of The Hairy Bikers' Christmas special focused on his and pal Si King's love of food, Dave also shared insight into his battle with cancer, including unreleased clips of his hospital treatment
Later in the special, Dave shared an update on his health and revealed that he was able to get back on his bike for another road trip with his pal Si King
Dave's emotional update left many viewers teary-eyed, with some praising the host for being so open about his battle with cancer
“It was just about survival, about getting through from one week to the next.”
Later in the special, Dave revealed that he was able to get back on his bike for another road trip with his pal Si.
He said: “My legs are going, the grin, I feel like a hysterical teenager again.” I'll call Kingy. This means we can take to the streets together again.”
After his 37th round of chemotherapy, viewers witnessed the emotional moment when Dave got back on his bike for the first time.
“I knew I had got my husband back. It was like a miracle had happened because we thought he would never do it again. But he does.
“I was jumping for joy, not for any other reason, but to see my best buddy do what he does.”
Dave's emotional update left many viewers teary-eyed, with some praising the host for being so open about his battle with cancer.
One wrote: “Dave Myers – back on the bike. What a moment,” while a second added: “I saw #thehairybikers come home for Christmas.” A tribute to food, friendship and overcoming cancer . “Cooking Christmas dinner for all the people who helped Dave Myers on his cancer journey.”
“The food was his love for these people.” “It's worth watching on iPlayer,” wrote a third.
One viewer gushed: “I enjoyed The Hairy Bikers and their Christmas show.” There's no doubt Dave Myers has had a very difficult time.
“A small part of me wonders if a normal mortal had cancer at the same time, would they have received the same treatment on the NHS?”
“The Hairy Bikers Christmas Special actually makes me feel a little better. “Cancer sucks, I’m glad Dave Myers is doing well,” one fan wrote.
Another tweeted: “A fabulous and emotional watch.” The Hairy Bikers cover Dave Myers' journey from chemotherapy to feasting. Wish him all the best.'
“It's very uplifting but also heartbreaking to watch @HairyBikers right now and see the wonderful Dave Myers, who looks similar but better than me and is going through a similar journey. “I understand his pain, literally. I wish I could eat like him, and I really need to do that…soon!' a fan added.
“I'm crying here – a little embarrassed, to be honest.” I enjoy watching the Hairy Bikers, but never really liked Dave Myers. Are you watching his courage now? “Incredible guy,” another shared.
One also wrote: “Simply unbelievable.” How the hell he coped with that I don't know. “I wouldn't have done that,” and one user continued: “Good to see Dave Myers back on our screens.”
“I grew up with the Hairy Bikers, so seeing Dave Myers' recent struggle with cancer is emotional, but I'm enjoying them hanging out, being themselves and cooking together again!” one fan added.
Dave previously praised his co-star Si King for helping him battle cancer, for which he is still undergoing treatment.
He confessed that he saw the holiday offering as an expression of his gratitude, explaining: “This time we shared the food with people to whom I also owe my life.” There are the nurses, the counselors, the physiotherapists who gave me that again “Taught me how to walk.”
His co-star and best mate added touchingly: “It was a return to normality for Dave and for me, and that was very valuable when things weren't particularly good for Dave and by default they weren't for me either.” .
“It was great to see Dave riding and saying, “Are you sure we’re not turning left here?”
Dave revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer in May 2022 and is currently still undergoing treatment for the disease.
Last month he admitted he was “stable” and able to return to work, adding that he was “really enjoying life at the moment” and said: “I'm doing well.” I'm still undergoing treatment, but everything seems to be stable…
“I was back on the bike with my best mate, filmed, wrote the books and went back to work.” So actually everything is pretty good. “I’m really enjoying life at the moment.”
Speaking about their Christmas special, Dave said: “The meaning of this Christmas special for me was huge.” I, like Si, really wanted to show our gratitude. We've opened up enough without sharing too much…
“The program is really honest and comes from the heart…”
“The whole thing worked from start to finish.” It was great to get back on the bikes together again. We set off down the road and Si was in front so I didn't have to think about where I was going…
“The feeling of doing what we had done for 30 years again was magical.” Si has shoulders like a bison and it was a joy to follow this silhouette into the landscape. It was like getting my wings back.'
Dave, who has been married to Liliana Orzac since 2011, spoke about the importance of support from loved ones, saying: “Knowing Si was there is fantastic…”
“A lot of the credit also goes to my wife, she has been with me from the beginning.” It is absolutely vital and I am really sad for the people who have to go through this alone.”
Dave recently described the tearful moment he was able to get back on his motorcycle for the first time since his cancer diagnosis
When speaking about eating during treatment, Dave explained: “Food is vital when recovering from cancer, one is the appetite and the other is the absorption of calories…”
“Sometimes I have to have a good time because when you feel unwell you don’t feel like eating, but you have to.”
“There are moments when you get back to food and look forward to it again.” It's important to find things that you like on this journey. It is the stuff of life.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a prince or a pauper, everyone has something they like to eat.” “Pancit noodles have now become legendary for me.”
Dave and Si have been getting back on their bikes in recent months to film for the new Hairy Bikers series, out next year.
In the BBC Two travel series Hairy Bikers Go West, the duo travel from Scotland to Devon in eight episodes.
Dave said although show bosses tried to reduce the length of his working days, he still managed to sometimes last up to ten hours recording the episodes.
The Hairy Bikers rose to fame with their popular cooking programs, but have slowed down their busy schedule due to Dave's health.
Dave, who did not reveal what type of cancer he has, said he has endured “30 rounds” of chemotherapy in the past year.
He recently described the tearful moment he was able to get back on his motorcycle for the first time since his cancer diagnosis.
He has previously said that his health problems left him too ill to walk at times and unable to ride a motorcycle.
Recalling the emotional moment when he shared his health, Dave said he and Si burst into tears when he was able to drive again.
He told the Yorkshire Post: “It's been hard but I'm not the only one and I'm getting through it and I'm back at work.”
“I had to learn to walk again and ride a bike again, and getting back on the bike with Kingy in the sunshine brought tears to our eyes.”
Si added: “He's a real fighter and in good shape. “It's been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone who loves and cares for Dave.”
Last month Dave revealed he was “stable” and able to return to work, adding that he was “really enjoying life at the moment” while still undergoing treatment for cancer.
Appearing with Si on BBC Breakfast, Dave said: “I'm fine.” I'm still undergoing treatment but everything seems to be stable.
“I was back on the bike with my best mate, filmed, wrote the books and went back to work.” So actually everything is pretty good. “I’m really enjoying life at the moment.”
Dave also spoke about Si's support during his cancer treatment and revealed that his best friend came over to cook for him.
He recalled: “One day I was feeling bad and he came to our house and made me minced meat and dumplings, but he did it right.”
“You know, when the bottom of the dumplings is just soft, the top of the dumplings is crispy, and I really…I remember that with mashed potatoes.”
He recalled: “That was nice.” “The freezer was full and that was great.”
Looking back on their long-standing friendship that has spanned over three decades, Si said: “It's just natural for us.” We are good friends, we are each other's family.
“It’s just the way we are and we don’t have to put in any real effort because we like each other.”
“We are very different people, but that’s what friendship is all about, because when we see each other you constantly bring something new to the table.”
It comes after Dave revealed his first day at work ended with a “man hug and a little kiss” with Si.
During an appearance on the Heart Breakfast show, presenter Jamie Theakston asked: “How important has it been to have your best mate by your side over the last 12 months?”
Purchase: Dave was finally able to get back on his bike after purchasing a brand new vehicle earlier this year – a £4,699 RE Bullet Trials 500 (pictured with bike and Si).
Dave replied: “Oh it's crucial my best mate and my family, this is what's getting you through, I say it's in the works.”
Jamie quipped: “Well, you look good…”
Co-host Zoe Hardman added: “I was just going to say, how are you feeling day to day because your eyes are really sparkling today?”
Dave replied: “Yeah, I'm fine, we've been filming.” We've got a Christmas special, we've been filming a series for next year, it was tough, but then getting back on the bikes, it was just epic.
“I remember we were just before the Isle of Bute and we were on the bikes for the first time and I was following the road and the familiar shape that I have seen for the last 20 years.”
Simon said: “It was quite emotional, wasn’t it?”
Dave added: “Yeah, we got on the ferry and had a hug and a bit of tears.”
The Hairy Bikers rose to fame with their popular cooking programs, but have slowed down their busy schedule due to Dave's health.