Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers revealed his anorexia diagnosis weeks before his death at the age of 66.
Tributes poured in for the TV chef on Thursday after his Hairy Bikers co-star and friend Si King announced his untimely death less than two years after revealing his cancer diagnosis.
The motorcycle-loving TV chef died “peacefully at home” on Wednesday surrounded by his close friends and family, King revealed in a statement on X.
Myers never revealed the type of cancer he had but he did provide updates on his gruelling treatment.
Myers never revealed the type of cancer he had
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It was during one of these updates that the Hairy Biker divulged that he had been diagnosed with anorexia.
Speaking to King on the latest episode of their show, The Hairy Bikers Go West, Myers went reassured viewers that his weight had stabilised amid his chemotherapy treatment.
“At one point I was diagnosed as anorexic,” Myers said on the show, which aired on February 7.
“Can you believe it after all the dieting we’ve done? But yeah, I’m doing alright now, I’m living with it. My weight’s stable so whatever I’m doing, I’ll carry on with it.”
Some patients experience a decrease in appetite while receiving cancer therapy and for some time following treatment. This can lead to weight loss.
“Don’t worry too much if you really don’t feel like eating for a few days after treatment. You can make up for lost calories later. However, it is important to drink,” explains Cancer Research UK.
Myers had previously revealed how multiple rounds of chemo affected his ability to walk.
Speaking on the How To Be 60 podcast in 2022, he told host Kaye Adams: “By God, the chemotherapy doesn’t half age you quickly. Because your balance goes, so for someone with a motorbike that’s a disaster, and my walking has been affected quite a lot, really.”
James Martin led tributes to his fellow TV chef following the tragic news
ITV
Myers explained that he did not have any “symptoms of the cancer”, but the chemotherapy affected “neuropathy” in his feet, making it “hard to stand”.
“So I’ve had to learn to walk again properly,” he said. “It’s a funny thing, chemotherapy, it’s one of life’s great levellers. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the telly or on the dole, if you get that then you’re in the s***.”
Fellow TV chef James Martin led the tributes to Myers following his untimely death, writing on Instagram: “I am lost for words, a very special man…”
Great British Bake Off star Candice Brown also paid tribute as she reposted the statement from the Hairy Bikers account on her story and simply added a broken heart emoji to express her sadness.
TV chef Paul Hollywood said he was “gutted” to hear the news, and wrote: “Gutted Si, this is terrible news! Love to all mate xx.”