Chefs and businesses across Lancashire have paid tribute to Dave Myers, who has died.

Dave Myers, one half of motorcycle-riding cooking duo the Hairy Bikers, died at the age of 66, according to a statement from his co-star Si King on social media.

Dave, born in Barrow-in-Furness, has visited Lancashire towns and cities in BBC cooking shows The Hairy Bikers Go North, which aired in 2021, and The Hairy Bikers Go West, which aired this month.

The shows celebrated the delicious cuisine and meals that come from the region.

The chefs and business owners he met along the way have since posted tributes to the chef, who died after a battle with cancer.

Blackburn-born chef Nigel Haworth, who worked with the Hairy Bikers in the past, said: “I will miss you as a chef, and seeing you on the box [sic], you brought a huge lump of pleasure to us all.”

The Dave and Si visited Mr Fitzpatrick’s Temperance Bar in Rawtenstall in 2021, as part of The Hairy Bikers Go North.

Ashley Morley, owner of the bar, described him as an “amazing guy”.

Lancashire Telegraph: Ashley Morley with Si King and Dave Myers on The Hairy Bikers Go North, which aired in 2021Ashley Morley with Si King and Dave Myers on The Hairy Bikers Go North, which aired in 2021 (Image: Ashley Morley)

She said: “You debate how celebrities could be behind closed doors but honestly the Hairy Bikers are two genuine lovely, fellas [sic] whose relationship is closer than you realise on screen

“Dave instantly struck me as a positive, upbeat person who has a genuine love for life.

“The fan base they have is just unreal and [many] fans have kindly visited us since the episode aired and have spoken about them.

“Everyone at Fitzpatrick’s loved the energy and banter the two of them had together. It was a beautiful thing to watch."

On the same show Dave and Si also took a trip to Goosnargh Gin which is on the edge of the Forest of Bowland.

Here, they crafted their own gin from scratch with the help of some of the owners.

Lancashire Telegraph: Dave Myers and Si King with Rachel and Richard Trenchard, owners of GoosnarghDave Myers and Si King with Rachel and Richard Trenchard, owners of Goosnargh (Image: Goosnargh Gin)

A spokesperson for the company said: “We were so deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dave Myers

“Put quite simply, Dave was not just one of the good guys. He was one of the best.

"Not pompous. Not wanting to be the star of the show. When people ask us whether Dave and Si were as nice off camera as they came across on the TV, our answer is always a resounding 'yes'.

“’It’s about you,’ Dave told us off camera. ‘We’re just the vehicles for amazing producers to tell their story.’

“He entered our lives momentarily as a stranger, but left our home feeling like old friends had been to visit, even calling us up a year after visiting the distillery.

“What Dave, along with fellow Hairy Biker Si, has done for producers and the food scene in Lancashire and beyond is amazing.

“We’ll miss you Dave. You were so special, and that wonder and passion just shone out of you.

Lancashire Telegraph: Dave Myers and Si King in Blackpool, on The Hairy Bikers Go NorthDave Myers and Si King in Blackpool, on The Hairy Bikers Go North (Image: BBC)

“Your warmth, glint in the eye and cheeky rise of the moustache when your razor-sharp wit kicked in while you were here will always live with us.

“Rest easy and ride on.”

In a recent episode of The Hairy Bikers Go West, the duo visited the illustrious Moor Hall Restaurant in Aughton.

Mark Birchall, chef patron at Moor Hall Restaurant in Aughton, said: “I’m deeply saddened to hear the news of Dave passing away.

“I was lucky enough to enjoy a little time in his company, he was such a warm and welcoming man. A legend in the industry. My thoughts are with his family, Si and close friends.”

Through their television work Dave and Si also shone a light on other Lancashire businesses, including Archers Café in Morecambe, Tarleton’s Croftpak Nurseries, Global Village Café in Lancaster , Fiddler’s Lancashire Crisps and Mr Thompson’s Bakery in Ormskirk and beyond.