Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers’ huge fortune revealed following his tragic death from cancer aged 66

Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers left behind a £1.5million following his tragic death aged 66, it emerged today.

The TV chef – who started out as a make up artist specialising in prosthetics – passed away last week with his friends and family by his side, two years after he revealed he was undergoing treatment for an unspecified type of cancer.

Dave’s production company, which he owned with wife Liliana Orzac, was worth £1.4m and made a profit of £200,000 in the previous 12 months, accounts filed on January 31 reveal.

Meanwhile, Hairy Bikers Television, which he owned with co-star Si King, was worth £92,000 – bringing the late star’s overall fortune to almost £1.5m.

Together the Hairy Bikers also produced 30 cookbooks, ranging from perfect pies to veggie feasts, one pot wonders and comfort food. The Hairy Bikers’ Great Curries is a bestseller on Amazon and received fantastic reviews from the Great British Food Magazine and Easy Food.

After meeting in 1995 on the set of a TV drama, the best friends built up a reputation as the friendly faces of TV cooking, with 31 separate projects since they first debuted on the BBC in 2006.

Dave lived in Staffordshire with his wife but had an impressive property portfolio over the years.

In 2017 he sold his seven-bedroom Victorian semi in his hometown of Barrow, Cumbria for £525,000. He had previously rented a penthouse flat at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London’s Docklands to use with his TV pal while they were filming. The Hairy Biker had also owned properties in France, on the island of Roa in Morecambe Bay, and Kent.

Dave, a talented artist, worked as a labourer to raise enough money to study fine art at Goldsmiths in London, which led him to a job in the BBC’s make-up department.

He once told how he was ordered to get a wig in his first day to hide his alopecia. But rather than spend the money, which amounted to more than a month’s salary, he shaved his head and bought a nearly-new Honda 185 Benly motorcycle.

Dave, who is survived by wife Liliana and her two children Izabelle and Sergiu, died last Wednesday and sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the TV industry.

The chef announced he was receiving treatment for cancer in May 2022 and bravely kept the public up to date with his progress in a series of emotional TV specials.

He died last Wednesday with his family and friends by his side, colleague and lifelong friend Si revealed.

In the Hairy Dieters six-book series, Si and Dave came up with recipes that are low in calories but big in flavour, so people could continue to enjoy the food they’re cooking and eating.

Strictly dancer Karen Hauer – who Dave partnered on the show in 2013 – said she was ‘heartbroken’ by the news as she posted a broken heart emoji.

Devastated fans paid tribute to the unlikely star, who first appeared on our screens in 2006 alongside his TV partner and racked up more than 30 separate projects, also selling 6million copies of their 30 cookery books.

Si announced the news of Dave’s sad passing in a heart-wrenching statement on Thursday: ‘Hi everyone, I’m afraid I bear some sad news.

‘Most of you will know Dave has been fighting cancer for the past couple of years.

‘Last night, on 28th February 2024, with Lili, Dave’s wife, his family, close friend David and myself by his side, he passed away peacefully at home.

‘All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing. His beloved wife brought him such happiness as did her children, Iza and Sergiu who Dave loved like his own.

‘Personally, I am not sure I can put into words on how I feel at the moment.

‘My best friend is on a journey that for now, I can’t follow. I will miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime.

‘I wish you god’s speed brother; you are and will remain a beacon in this world. See you on the other side. Love ya.’

The beloved duo first met when they were both working in the film industry – Dave as a make-up artist and Si as a locations director – and bonded over their love of food and motorbikes.

Over their career the best friends built up a reputation as the friendly faces of TV cooking, with 31 separate projects since they first debuted on the BBC in 2006.

The statement continued: ‘I know Dave and his family would want me to thank all of you who sent messages of support in recent times.

‘It meant the world to him, his family and all The Hairy Bikers team.

‘I am sending you all much love and gratitude for those simple acts of kindness, generosity and spirit. We are eternally grateful for them.

‘May I ask you all for one further kindness and allow Lili, his wife, his family, close friends and I some time and some peace to process our huge loss.

‘I am sure I will see you all soon.’

Following his diagnosis, Myers briefly took a break from work before filming his last show with King, which sees them travel west across Britain from Scotland to Devon.

King previously said that the series, The Hairy Bikers Go West, which is airing on BBC Two, would be one they would ‘always remember’.

Reacting to the news, BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore said: ‘Everyone at the BBC is incredibly sad to hear this news.

‘Dave made cooking a truly joyful adventure and he shared that joy with millions.

‘The public loved him and his unique partnership with Si. Together they made every viewer feel like a friend.

‘More than that he was simply a lovely man. Our thoughts go out to his family and many friends.’

Meanwhile, Saturday Kitchen viewers were left in tears over the weekend after the BBC show paid tribute to Dave.

As tributes have poured in all week, the cooking show shared its own montage of Dave’s best bits as host Matt Tebbutt honoured the star.

Speaking to the camera at the beginning of the show, Matt made the emotional address as he began: ‘Now as I’m sure you know, this has been a very sad week as we lost someone very close to the show. Dave Myers who was one half of the Hairy Bikers, along with Si King.

‘They’ve been on the show countless times over the last 18 years and even hosted it a few times. We were privileged to have Dave back in the studio last October, after he was recovering from another round of treatment.

‘He then bravely got back on his bike and continued with his TV life with Si. But sadly cancer took him from us far too soon.’

Matt then revealed the show plans to air a whole show dedicated to Dave at a later date.

He continued: ‘We hope to stage a full tribute show for Dave in due course but here is a little montage to remind you why we loved him so much.’

The montage captured the star’s sense of humour and abundant energy throughout his many appearances on the show.

In the hilarious clips, one showed Dave struggling to get a pudding out of a bowl as it collapsed on the plate.

Another saw Dave showcasing his singing talents as he belted out Don’t Cry For Me Argentina in one memorable episode.

Si and Dave’s strong friendship was also clear as Dave kissed his pal on the cheek as they displayed their effortless camaraderie.