Hairy Bikers chef Dave Myers has shared that doctors diagnosed him with anorexia as he struggled to gain weight during his ongoing cancer treatment.
Myers, born in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, has not specified what type of cancer he has following the announcement that he was receiving treatment in May 2022.
The 66-year-old presenter briefly took a break from work before filming the latest show, The Hairy Bikers Go West, which sees them travel west across Britain from Scotland to Devon.
Speaking to his Hairy Bikers co-star Simon King in their new BBC2 series, Myers explained that his weight has now stabilised following the diagnosis, sharing: "At one point I was diagnosed as anorexic. 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.”
The TV star also shared his chemotherapy treatment caused him to suffer loss of balance, and feared he would be unable to ride a motorcycle on the show again.
“When I was told I was ill, I never thought I'd ride a motorcycle again. But we're doing it!" he said to his friend during an emotional moment on Tuesday's show.
“There was a time when I couldn't balance, I couldn't walk. I didn't think I'd be getting on a bike. But I'm sound as a pound mate.”
King asked: “How did you get that back? Bloody hard work?”
Myers replied: “Hard work and physiotherapy.
“I've still got my foot in a splint to change gear but it works. It's joyous. I love the whole paraphernalia with the bike, the smell of the bike. It's a dream come true, Kingy. I appreciate it so much.”
King praised Myers for returning to the latest series following treatment for cancer.
The 57-year-old said: “It’s a series that we will always remember, not that we won’t remember others.
“We are very privileged to do what we do and I think this one was particularly special in general because of Dave’s health and his sheer and utter determination and love for what he does.
“Especially to continue to do it while he was having treatment took remarkable courage and energy – and adds to why Dave and I will not forget it.”
Through the seven-part series, King and Myers cover more than 600 miles and also stop in Merseyside, North Wales and Bristol.
These visits inspired them to cook up Chicken Balmoral with truffle mash and a poached lobster served with Scottish Bucatini pasta, Lamb chop pakoras with traditional Persian rice and a Lancashire Butter and Potato Pie.
