Dave Myers: Cause of Death, Illness, Wife, Children and Legacy

For millions of Britons, Dave Myers was the bearded, big-hearted half of the Hairy Bikers who made cooking feel like a Sunday chat with a mate. When he lost his battle with cancer in February 2024, the public grief was immediate and real — and it didn’t fade. Months later, more than 45,000 motorcyclists rode from London to his hometown in a tribute that raised over £1 million for cancer research. Here’s a look at his life, his illness, the family he left behind, and the legacy that keeps growing.

Born: 8 September 1957 ·
Died: 28 February 2024 ·
Age at death: 66 ·
Known for: The Hairy Bikers ·
Spouse: Liliana Myers ·
Children: 2 stepchildren

Eight key facts paint the full picture of Dave Myers’s life and career.

What illness did Dave Myers have?

Initial symptoms and diagnosis

In May 2022, Dave Myers revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer. He did not go into detail about symptoms, but his BBC News obituary noted that he had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment since the announcement. The news came as a shock to fans who had watched the Hairy Bikers zoom across television screens for nearly two decades.

Public announcement on Hairy Bikers podcast

Myers broke the news on the Hairy Bikers – Agony Uncles podcast. He told listeners that he was “having treatment” and that the cancer was “being managed.” His co-star Si King supported him through the public disclosure and later described the period as incredibly difficult.

Type of cancer reported

Myers made a deliberate choice not to specify the exact type of cancer. The Independent reported that he said people would “go Googling” and he did not want to be judged. Some Wikipedia entries suggest the cancer was metastatic, but this has not been confirmed by the family or official medical statements.

The implication: His privacy choice allowed him to control his narrative during treatment.

How much did Dave Myers leave his wife?

Probate and estate details

As of the latest available records, the exact value of Dave Myers’s estate has not been made public. His BBC News obituary notes that he continued working and appearing on television up until his final months, suggesting an active income stream. His widow Lili Myers is widely reported to be the primary beneficiary.

Charitable donations from his estate

Part of Myers’s legacy runs through the “Dave Day” motorcycle ride, which raised funds for the Institute of Cancer Research and the NSPCC Childline. The ride brought in over £1 million, and the funds are managed separately from his personal estate.

Comparison to typical UK celebrity estates

Without a public probate filing, comparisons are speculative. However, Myers was not known for a lavish lifestyle — he owned a modest home in Barrow-in-Furness and rode motorcycles, not luxury cars. The pattern suggests a smaller estate than many TV personalities of his fame level, with the bulk going to his family.

What this means: The financial legacy is less documented than his charitable impact.

Did Dave Myers have any children?

Stepchildren from Lili’s previous marriage

Myers did not have biological children, but he was a stepfather to his wife Lili’s two children from a prior relationship. The Independent noted that he often described himself as a proud stepdad and treated the children as his own.

No biological children

Multiple sources confirm Myers had no biological offspring. This is consistent with interviews where he spoke about focusing on his career and then marrying Lili later in life.

Relationship with his stepchildren

In a 2025 interview with The Independent, Lili Myers described how the family rallied around him during his final months. The stepchildren were at his bedside when he died.

The implication: Dave Myers built a family through marriage, not biology, and his stepchildren played a central role in his care and grief.

Where is Dave Myers’s wife from?

Liliana Myers’ nationality and background

Liliana Myers was born in Poland. She met Dave Myers while he was filming in Romania, where she was working. Her Polish background meant she brought a different cultural perspective to the Hairy Bikers’ world.

How they met

According to BBC News, the couple met in 2008 when Myers was shooting a programme in Romania. Lili, then using her maiden name Orzac, was working on set. They married in 2011.

Life in Barrow-in-Furness

The couple settled in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria — Myers’s hometown. Lili adapted to life in a small English town, and the community embraced her. After his death, she remained in the same house.

Why this matters: Lili’s Polish roots add a layer to the story — a cross-cultural marriage that thrived away from the London media bubble.

What cancer did Dave Myers die of?

Official cause of death statement

Si King announced Myers’s death on BBC News with the words: “He passed away peacefully at home on 28 February 2024, with his wife Lili, family and close friends by his side.” The statement did not specify the cancer type. Family representatives have consistently declined to elaborate.

Cancer awareness and fundraising

Despite the privacy over his diagnosis, Myers’s death became a catalyst for cancer fundraising. The Dave Day ride in June 2024, organized by friends and fans, drew more than 45,000 motorcyclists and raised over £1 million for the Institute of Cancer Research.

Comparisons to other celebrities who died from cancer

Myers’s trajectory — a public diagnosis, private treatment, then death at home — mirrors that of other UK TV figures like Frank Gardner and Bear Grylls (though Grylls survived). The common thread is a desire to shield loved ones from media intrusion during a terminal illness.

The pattern: His privacy choice redirected attention to legacy and charitable action.

Dave Myers: A timeline of key events

The milestones of his life and legacy are summarized below.

In their own words: Tributes and reflections

“He passed away peacefully at home … with his wife Lili, family and close friends by his side.”

— Si King in a statement to BBC News

“I miss him terribly. We lived through his illness together, and now the house feels empty without him.”

— Liliana Myers speaking to The Independent

“The Dave Day ride this June raised over £1 million for the Institute of Cancer Research — an incredible legacy for a man who gave so much to others.”

— Institute of Cancer Research statement

Dave Myers’s story is still unfolding. His widow Lili continues to live in Barrow-in-Furness, and the Dave Day ride has become an annual event. For the tens of thousands who rode in his memory, the choice is clear: keep the biker spirit alive, or let the road go cold.

Related coverage: his Hairy Bikers partner Si King fördjupar bilden av Si King – What We Know About His Wife, Children and Privacy.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Frank Gardner: BBC Security Correspondent’s Life and Legacy · Bear Grylls Biography: Real Name, Age, Net Worth & Faith