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Former Kent chef and Hairy Biker Dave Myers shares details on cancer diagnoses in Christmas special

13:41, 21 December 2023

Hairy Biker Dave Myers has given a moving health update on the duo’s BBC Christmas special.

The former Kent-based celeb shared an update on his recent cancer diagnosis in his and Si King’s Coming Home for Christmas show.

Dave Myers has spoken about his cancer diagnosis. Picture: BBC
Dave Myers has spoken about his cancer diagnosis. Picture: BBC

In the episode, which aired on BBC 2 at 9pm earlier this week, the chef, who used to live in Rodmersham, spoke about his battle with the disease.

The 66-year-old said: “It's like, ‘Where do we go from here?'.

“When I first got the call, what went through my mind was disbelief, and a refusal to believe it in a way.

“It's the word, isn't it, the word that everybody fears.”

Dave was diagnosed with cancer in May 2022 and is still undergoing treatment, he has not revealed what cancer he has.

Dave Myers and Si King on The Hairy Bikers Christmas special. Picture: BBC
Dave Myers and Si King on The Hairy Bikers Christmas special. Picture: BBC

The Christmas special showed the Hairy Bikers back on the road and setting their sights on dishing up an extra special festive banquet as a thank you to those who’ve cared for Dave after his cancer diagnosis.

He explained his diagnosis “got really real” when he lost all his hair after starting chemo.

Dave said: “'The first lot of chemo was very, very destructive.

“You don't realise what an impact it can have, the debilitating effects kick in quite quickly.

“My sense of taste and appetite went, I was poorly, you see your weight drop and you've got to eat, but it's finding something you want to eat. I had sores in my mouth. I would fall over quite a lot.

Dave Myers getting hospital treatment. Picture: BBC
Dave Myers getting hospital treatment. Picture: BBC

“By the second lot of chemo, my hair came out. It really is quite radical, it's not a gradual moulting, your hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard, everything just goes.

“It was all about survival, getting through from one week to the next.”

Despite the challenges Dave shared in the episode he also gave an update on his health by revealing he was going to be able to get back on his bike for another road trip with Si.

After his 37th round of chemotherapy, viewers saw the moment he got back on his bike for the first time.

Si said: “I knew I'd got my man back. It was like a miracle had happened, because it was something we thought he'd never do again. But he does it.

Dave Myers has begun to ride his bike again. Picture: The Hairy Bikers Instagram
Dave Myers has begun to ride his bike again. Picture: The Hairy Bikers Instagram

“I was jumping for joy, not for any other reason, but to see my best mate doing what he does.”

Last month, on BBC Breakfast, Dave confirmed he was “stable” and back at work, saying he was “really enjoying life at the moment”.

You can watch The Hairy Bikers: Coming Home for Christmas on BBC iPlayer.

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