Few TV chefs felt more like a mate you’d share a pint with than Dave Myers. For two decades, he and Si King roared through our screens as the Hairy Bikers, making cooking feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. When Myers died from cancer in February 2024, aged 66, the silence left behind was filled with an extraordinary roar of its own: thousands of bikers riding in his memory, turning grief into motion.
Full name: David James Myers ·
Born: 8 September 1957 ·
Died: 28 February 2024 (aged 66) ·
Known for: Television presenter, Hairy Bikers ·
Spouse: Lili Myers (m. 2011) ·
Cause of death: Cancer
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with cancer in 2022 (Wikipedia biography)
- Died February 2024 (BBC News report)
- No specific cancer type publicly confirmed (Wikipedia biography)
- Married to Lili Myers from 2011 (BBC News tribute)
- No children (BBC News tribute)
- Left £1.4 million fortune to wife (BBC News estate report)
- Will probate details reported (BBC News estate report)
- Thousands of bikers in Dave Day ride (BBC News coverage)
- London to Barrow memorial ride (BBC News coverage)
Eight key facts, one pattern: from a Barrow-born lad to a national treasure, with a legacy defined by generosity in life and after it.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 September 1957 |
| Died | 28 February 2024 (aged 66) |
| Occupation | Television presenter, chef, author |
| Known for | Hairy Bikers cooking duo |
| Spouse | Lili Myers (m. 2011) |
| Children | None |
| Estate value | £1.4 million |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
What was Dave Myers’ illness?
What type of cancer did Dave Myers have?
- Myers announced his cancer diagnosis in May 2022 on the podcast Hairy Bikers – Agony Uncles, according to Wikipedia’s biography.
- He died from cancer on 28 February 2024, as confirmed by BBC News.
- The specific type of cancer has not been publicly detailed beyond “cancer”.
The implication: Myers chose privacy around the exact diagnosis, letting his public face remain the jovial Biker rather than a patient. For fans, the unanswered question lingers, but it doesn’t diminish the scale of the loss.
Myers kept the specifics of his illness private, which meant the public only ever saw the brave face he chose to show. The consequence: a gap in information that fans still search for, but a testament to his dignity.
How much did Dave Myers leave his wife?
Did Dave Myers write a will?
- Dave Myers left a £1.4 million fortune to his wife Lili Myers, as reported by BBC News.
- His estate was valued at £1.4 million according to probate records reported in the same outlet.
What this means: the financial settlement was straightforward — everything to the woman he married in 2011. No complications, no drama. For Lili, it represents security after a decade of marriage and a year of caregiving.
Did Dave Myers have any children?
Who is Dave Myers’ wife?
- Dave Myers was married to Lili Myers from 2011 until his death, per BBC News.
- He did not have any children, according to multiple biographical sources.
The pattern: Myers focused his family energy on his marriage and his wider “Hairy Bikers” family of friends and crew. No children means his legacy lives on through his work and the tributes, not through offspring.
How many times has Dave Myers been married?
Was Dave Myers married before Lili?
- Dave Myers was married once, to Lili Myers, according to Wikipedia.
- He had no previous marriages.
The catch: some public records are incomplete, and rumours of an earlier relationship exist, but no verified evidence of a prior marriage has surfaced. The official record stands as a single, lifelong commitment.
Thousands take part in Dave Day tribute to Hairy Biker Dave Myers
What is the Dave Day tribute?
- Thousands of bikers rode from London to Barrow-in-Furness in memory of Dave Myers on 8 June 2024, as covered by BBC News.
- The event was called the Dave Day tribute, organised by friend Jason Woodcock after Myers’ funeral.
- It occurred after his death in 2024, with organisers saying some 20,000 people joined the ride.
- The Institute of Cancer Research reported that more than 45,000 motorcyclists took part, according to the Institute’s news release.
- Fundraising from Dave Day was split evenly between the NSPCC Childline service and the Institute of Cancer Research, per Wikipedia.
Why this matters: a man who cooked on TV and rode a bike for fun inspired one of the largest single-day charity bike rides in UK history. The scale — 45,000 bikes, 300 miles, two charities — turned personal grief into a national moment.
BBC reported the distance between the first and last biker in the convoy spanned about 25 km (16 miles). That’s not a ride; it’s a moving community of loss and hope.
Confirmed facts
- Dave Myers died from cancer on 28 February 2024 (BBC News).
- He was married to Lili Myers (BBC News).
- He had no children.
- His estate was valued at £1.4 million and left to his wife (BBC News).
- He announced his cancer diagnosis in 2022 (Wikipedia).
- The Dave Day tribute drew thousands of bikers on 8 June 2024 (BBC News).
What’s unclear
- The specific type of cancer has not been publicly disclosed.
- Details about any prior relationships or marriages are unverified.
Quotes from those who knew him best
“He was my wonderful, brave man.”
— Lili Myers, quoted in BBC News tribute
“He was the best friend you could ever have. He was a brother.”
— Si King, Hairy Bikers co-star, in BBC News coverage
“Lili said ‘get a couple of bikes together’ for the funeral memory ride. It just grew from there.”
— Jason Woodcock, Dave Day organiser, to BBC News
“Give a Dave Day — a hug, a book, a card, a meal, or a smile.”
— Lili Myers, urging acts of kindness on Dave’s 67th birthday, reported by BBC News
Dave Myers left behind a wife who loved him, a fortune to ensure her future, and a bike ride that turned grief into £125,000 for cancer charities. For Barrow-in-Furness, the boy who left for the BBC returned as a legend whose name is now etched into the tarmac of the A590. The choice for fans is simple: remember the food, or remember the ride. Either way, he won.
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For those wanting a deeper look at his life, Dave Myers illness and legacy offers a comprehensive overview of his battle with cancer and the tribute he received.
Frequently asked questions
What was Dave Myers cause of death?
He died from cancer on 28 February 2024, aged 66, as confirmed by BBC News.
How old was Dave Myers when he died?
He was 66 years old.
Who is Dave Myers’ wife?
His wife is Lili Myers, whom he married in 2011.
Did Dave Myers have any children?
No, he did not have any children.
How much money did Dave Myers leave?
His estate was valued at £1.4 million, left to his wife Lili, per BBC News.
What is the Dave Day tribute?
A memorial motorcycle ride from London to Barrow-in-Furness held on 8 June 2024, with thousands of bikers participating. It raised funds for cancer charities and the NSPCC Childline service.
What TV show was Dave Myers on?
He was best known as one half of the Hairy Bikers, alongside Si King, on BBC cooking shows.
Oliver Jack Carter Cooper is a staff writer for EveningLedger.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Edward Langley and Managing Editor Charlotte Reeves, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.