Viewers have slammed a ‘ridiculous’ question on This Morning as Si King of the Hairy Bikers went on to pay tribute to his late best friend, Dave Myers.
King appeared on the show to discuss his late friend eight months after his passing, paying an emotional tribute to Myers.
The pair appeared together on various TV shows over the course of a 20 year collaboration, running from 2004.
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The Hairy Bikers were both celebrity chefs, known best for combining their love of cuisine with travelling the world on motorcycles.
Myers died eight months ago after revealing in 2022 that he had been diagnosed with cancer.
The news was announced by King, who put out a statement, part of which said:
“Last night, on 28th February 2024, with Lili, Dave’s wife, his family, close friend David and myself by his side, [Dave Myers] passed away peacefully at home.
“All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing.
“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.”
In his appearance on This Morning, King heartbreakingly said: “The amount of times I've thought, 'I've not heard from that toerag for ages...' and then I go 'Oh man...'
“It's raw for anybody that loses somebody, but there are two things that are certain in life - you begin it, and you end it. The bit in the middle is about what you do with it. Dave loved his life, he lived it to the full and he was joyous to be around."
He also said that it’s incredibly difficult because ‘he was my best mate, he still is my best mate. That never goes does it?’
At one point in the show, however, Cat Deeley asked: “Have you found the whole process difficult? Or are you still dealing with it? How do you feel?”
Whilst King didn’t appear to take issue with the question, viewers have.
One commented: “Great guy ! … spoilt by Cat asking the most ridiculous question !!!!”
Another said: “It seems that Cat has possibly not yet lost anyone close to her, given that strange question.”
A ‘certified Grief Educator’ said: “Journalists really should have training on specific grief interviews before asking such things like ‘have you found it difficult.’”
In response to the question, King said: “The grieving process started quite a long time ago for me, it’s a very personal thing.
“When Dave was diagnosed, it was a big diagnosis. It kind of started then really because it was all about the fight and that's what we concentrated on, just about the fight. That was easier in a way.
“Grief is a very individual journey because it's about an emotional adjustment of loss and the things that are no longer tangible, and that's the bit that's odd to get your head around.”
Topics: Cancer, Celebrity, TV and Film, Food And Drink, ITV
Michael Slavin