The Hairy Bikers' Si King pays tear-jerking tribute to late Dave Myers

Si King paid a tear-jerking tribute to his late The Hairy Bikers' co-star Dave Myers in his first TV interview since his death on Monday. 

During an appearance on The One Show, the TV presenter, 58, emotionally explained how the spirit of their friendship will live on as he learns to cope with his loss. 

The duo had begun work on their latest book, The Hairy Bikers: Our Family Favourites, before his death, with Si completing it in his honour. 

Dave passed away aged 66 in February, with this co-star by his side following a lengthy battle with an unspecified cancer. 

Speaking on the programme he said: ‘It’s the book that Dave and I started before he passed.'

Si continued: ‘I really wanted to finish it in his honour. It’s all those recipes that have stuck with us throughout the years.

'Just because Dave’s passed it doesn’t stop you being a friend. The spirit of our relationship will always be there.

'It’s been a big loss, I’m coping okay, thank you. It’s a big adjustment. I know Dave would have wanted me to keep pushing on.'

Si and Dave worked very closely together for two decades, creating a number of much-loved cooking TV shows as well as books and live appearances. 

He added: ‘I want to look after the legacy we built because I think it deserves the respect Dave and myself put into it.

‘There will be some pastures new that will come my way I’m sure.'

Revealing in a video posted to Facebook in June, Si said he had frequently discussed Our Family Favourites with his friend and felt it was only right to get it published. 

'We have a new book called Our Family Favourites and I just wanted to talk about it a little bit,' he said. 

He added: 'It's a book that Dave and I discussed at length and I want to finish to honour my best friend. 

'It's full of recipes that have remained favourites over the years and stay close to our hearts. It's out in October but you can preorder now.' 

Si added, with his voice breaking: 'It's a really special book written with love and in memory of my lovely mate.'

Their first TV appearance together was The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook in 2004, which was part cooking show and part travel programme and in the first episode the duo rode the length of Portugal.