Latest news with #HairyBikers
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Hairy Bikers' creamy gratin recipe has a seasonal twist on classic potatoes
The Hairy Bikers' courgette gratin is a light and fresh alternative to a potato-based dish. As courgette season runs from late spring to early autumn, there's no better time to try it. If there's one method to enhance the flavour of plain vegetables, it's by combining them with cheese and breadcrumbs to achieve a golden, crispy finish. Gratin appears in numerous variations, from those prepared with meat, seafood, a mixture of vegetables, or kept simpler as a potato-centred dish. The Hairy Bikers have added their own spin to the traditional French culinary method, embracing a seasonal vegetable: the courgette. Courgettes, also known as zucchini, are generally very easy to cook and versatile. They don't require peeling, and their mild flavour allows them to be cooked in numerous ways and paired with various ingredients. Across the UK, courgette season typically spans from late spring through to early autumn, with prime time falling between June and September. This savoury green vegetable is at its finest right now, making it perfect for baking into a delicious gratin. Characterised as "creamy and flavoursome without being too rich," the Hairy Bikers observe that courgettes' delicate nature makes them an excellent substitute for starchy potatoes in a lighter evening meal, reports the Express. Courgette gratin recipe Two tbsp olive oil 800g/1lb 12oz courgettes, sliced into 5mm/1⁄4in rounds A few sprigs of thyme A few basil leaves 100ml/31⁄2fl oz crème fraîche 50ml/2fl oz milk One tsp plain flour 75g/21⁄2oz gruyère or similar cheese, grated Salt and freshly ground black pepper Method A scorching oven is crucial to guarantee a crispy, golden topping. Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/Gas 6. Using a large, covered frying pan, pour in the olive oil, incorporate the courgettes and herbs, and season liberally with salt and pepper. Place the lid on and cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the courgettes become slightly soft yet remain al dente - you don't want them becoming mushy. The oil should have developed a deep, vibrant green colour from the courgettes. Move the pan's contents into an oven-safe dish. Using a bowl, combine the crème fraîche, milk, and flour, then add salt to taste for a creamy blend. Pour this over the courgettes—it's fine if it doesn't entirely cover them; it will bubble up during baking. Lastly, sprinkle with the cheese and bake for roughly 25 minutes, or until it turns golden and bubbly. You may notice that gratin is similar to dauphinoise potatoes, but these are traditionally made with raw, thinly sliced potatoes cooked in cream and often infused with garlic, without the addition of cheese. Gratin, on the other hand, typically involves pre-cooked potatoes (or courgettes), layered with a creamy sauce and cheese, then baked until golden brown.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Hairy Biker Si King returns to Sycamore Gap tree site
When the world-famous Sycamore Gap tree was illegally felled in September 2023, TV chef and Hairy Biker Si King was among those devastated by the wanton destruction. He was so angry he could not bring himself to visit the site again - until now. He takes several deep breaths, steeling himself, then walks slowly up to the the fence surrounding the remains of the sycamore, several green shoots are growing."Dear me," Si says simply, before turning away, too overwhelmed by the "big yawning gap" in the landscape."I've put off coming to see it, because I didn't want to," he inspects the scars left by a chainsaw blade."Absolutely mindless," he the morning of 28 September 2023, when news that the much-loved landmark had been felled spread globally, Si was among those expressing their fury."You've just murdered a sentinel of time and elemental spirit of Northumberland," he raged on social media. "For whatever warped reason you've done it, it's shocking."The TV chef, best known as one half of the Hairy Bikers, had to postpone filming that day because of his "visceral reaction" to the news. In his direct message to those responsible - a 44 second clip that's had almost two million views on X - he furiously ranted that he hoped they had a from the north-east of England, where the tree had grown for more than 100 years, Si knew its importance."There was a magic and majesty to it," he says, calling it an "absolute exclamation mark of who we are in this part of the world".Men jailed for felling 'irreplaceable' sycamoreListen to Felled: The Sycamore Gap storyWatch The Sycamore Gap: From Roots to Ruin Si had been sent the news of its felling in a text message by a close friend, who had come to cherish the tree following a personal hoped she was mistaken, but links to news articles sent in follow-up messages brought the dreaded was his anger, he had to record his condemnation video several times because of the swearing in the original versions. Following a third expletive-free attempt, he asked fellow Hairy Biker and best friend Dave Myers if it was acceptable to be shared with their one million followers on X."I was absolutely raging," Si says."That level of vandalism and brutal bitterness was beyond my comprehension."I can't comprehend the mindset that would just do that. I don't understand that character and personality. That was just plain nasty."It felt so personal."That sentiment was shared by millions both in the UK and around the world. Sycamore Gap was the scene of marriage proposals, wedding photographs and somewhere grieving families scattered Si, it was a "special place" that provided moments of "peace", "solace" and "counsel." It was also somewhere he visited when "in crisis."Five months after the tree was cut down, his on-screen partner and "best mate" Dave died at the age of 66, two years after revealing he had the tree still been there, Si says he would have gone there to reflect on his loss, "given the year everybody involved with the Hairy Bikers has had". However, with only the stump remaining, it was "too much" for him to visit in the immediate aftermath of Dave's one occasion he drove to the road adjacent to Sycamore Gap, but his emotions halted his return and he "looked away", unable to bring himself to stop his was only in June, after Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, both from Cumbria, had been found guilty of chopping down the tree, that he says he felt ready to return, accompanied by a BBC film crew for the documentary The Sycamore Gap: From Roots to Ruin."It's quite difficult to put into words," he says, as he surveys the scene."I'm an emotional human being and it's sorely missed - tragically so." Sycamore Gap had extra poignancy to Si because of another personal close friend who had texted him on the day to say the tree had been cut down had lost her son when he was just the teenager's death, Sycamore Gap became a natural place for them to gather and grieve."The impact of that, because we were all very close, was enormous," Si peacefulness of Sycamore Gap was "of solace" to them all, so much so the tree was depicted on the young man's gravestone."Sycamore Gap is that important," Si says."It's not just a tree." Follow BBC North East on X and Facebook and BBC Cumbria on X and Facebook and both on Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Dave Myers widow Lili 'cannot watch' final Hairy Bikers series
Dave Myers' widow said she still cannot bring herself to watch the final Hairy Bikers series, following his death from cancer last who was one half of the Hairy Bikers TV cookery show duo along with Si King, died aged 66 shortly after the airing of their final series during which they explored the UK's west coast. Ahead of a re-run, Lili Myers said filming during his treatment had helped him regain his "sense of self" amid the many hospital appointments and physical changes like hair loss."What a superhuman effort he made to finish the series. But also, I'll never forget the look on his face once filming was done. He knew it would be his last," Mrs Myers said. When she was told the series was scheduled to run again, Mrs Myers said her "stomach filled with butterflies".The pair had been together for nearly 20 years. She remembered long talks about whether he should film the series, because he was concerned about maximising their time with each other."He said, 'look, there's this project, and if you don't want me to do it, I won't do it,'" Mrs Myers said. "'I know that this eats up from our time, and I really wouldn't like to deprive you of anything.'"He always considered me first." 'Feel himself again' Mrs Myers said she encouraged her husband to do it "because it meant so much to him"."Being under treatment, he had a sense of losing his identity, his hair loss," she said."Can you imagine? He was known for his hair and all of a sudden, this treatment took his hair away."Myers' sense of taste changed which meant he could not "feel the same pleasure" eating food as he had done wife said: "Filming this series for him, I felt that it would make him feel himself again."Make him feel that he had not lost anything, that he was valuable, that he was whole and everything was normal again." King, Dave and Mrs Myers watched the first episode together when in aired in early February 2024. "That was the first, the only episode that I watched," Mrs Myers said."I couldn't watch the rest of it because afterwards he became ill and it was very difficult to watch."Myers died later that month, to an outpouring of his passing, Myers' friends and family have organised Dave Day and Dave Day 2, during which thousands of bikers travel from London to Myers's home town of Barrow, raising money for year's event has already raised thousands of pounds for NSPCC Childline and CancerCare North Lancashire and south Cumbria. The Hairy Bikers Go West will re-run on BBC Two on 15 July. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Dave Myers' widow overcome with emotion after heartbreaking admission
Hairy Bikers star, Dave Myers, sadly died last year, aged 66, two years after his cancer diagnosis, leaving his legion of loyal fans and wife, Liliana Orzac, bereft Dave Myers' widow, Liliana, has admitted she won't be able to watch his final TV project following his tragic death last year. The Hairy Bikers star left his legion of loyal fans bereft when he died, aged 66, two years after his cancer diagnosis. As Liliana, 57, continues to grieve for the much-loved star, she told fans that the BBC is preparing to rerun the last ever episodes of the Hairy Bikers, which Dave presented with best friend, Si King. The series, titled The Hairy Bikers Go West, was filmed in 2023 and aired in February 2024, the same month of Dave's death. Telling Dave's fans how unwell he was in the programme, but mustered up a "superhuman" effort to finish filming, Liliana left a poignant post on her Facebook account, saying: "Heads up... BBC have been in touch to say they have planned in a repeat run of the 7-epsiode series 'The Hairy Bikers Go West' from Tuesday, July 15 July at 7pm. "This is Dave's last series, filmed while he was in treatment... the one I couldn't bring myself to watch. For many reasons, this series is heartbreaking for me to watch, as I know how unwell he was and what a superhuman effort he made to finish the series. But also, I'll never forget the look on his face once filming was done. He knew it would be his last... my brave man!" Responding to her heartfelt post, many of Dave's fans told Liliana how much they missed him, as one replied: "Oh Liliana, it must be difficult for you to watch. I watched it all and loved it, but found it very moving to see how emotional the boys were throughout!' A second commented: "Always loved and followed them from the start and can't quite believe Dave has left us! He is truly missed by all of us, but especially you and Simon. But we have lovely memories of him and he will never be forgotten." Meanwhile, a third shared: "I watched the series a couple of times with my dad and cried my way through the last few episodes. A tremendous testament to Dave's courage, determination and his huge personality." The poignant series is filmed over seven episodes and sees Dave and Si travel along the west coast of country on an emotional and nostalgic journey. Last month, Liliana, who met Dave in a hotel when he was filming The Hairy Bikers before they married in 2011, opened up about her grief as a guest on the Lorraine show. Talking to stand-in host, Ranvir Singh, she said: "It's an enormous thing to hear, that you have cancer, when you hear that, you don't fully understand the consequences of the treatment or the journey that is coming after that word. "The stepson hospital corridors, the shattered dreams, the plans that you had for the future that are not going to be there anymore. The 'What should I do? Should I do this? Should I do that... "And then afterwards, you're beating yourself up for thinking 'I should have, I could have, I would have'..."
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Dave Myers' widow reveals the 'pain and suffering' hidden from his final Hairy Bikers TV series that she 'can't bring herself to watch' in heart-wrenching message to fans
Dave Myers ' widow has shared an insight into his 'pain and suffering' as his final TV project is set to broadcast -admitting to fans that she 'can't bring herself' to tune in. TV legend Dave passed away in February 2024 aged 66, two years after his cancer diagnosis. He battled the disease while continuing to work alongside his co-star and best pal Si King, though kept details of his cancer extremely private. As his wife Liliana Orzac, 57, continues to grieve, she's told fans how the BBC are planning to rerun his final episodes as part of the Hairy Bikers. The series, titled The Hairy Bikers Go West, was filmed in 2023 and aired in February 2024 - the same month of Dave's death. In a poignant post on her Facebook account, Liliana told fans: 'Heads up... BBC have been in touch to say they have planned in a repeat run of the 7-epsiode series 'The Hairy Bikers Go West' from Tuesday, July 15 July at 7pm. 'This is Dave's last series, filmed while he was in treatment... the one I couldn't bring my self to watch.' While Dave looked visibly unwell in the show, Liliana continued to tell fans about the effort he put into filming, despite the 'pain' and 'suffering' he endured. She said: 'For many reasons, this series is heartbreaking for me to watch, as I know how unwell he was and what a superhuman effort he made to finish the series. 'But also, I'll never forget the look on his face once filming was done. He knew it would be his last... my brave man!' Seven episodes of the series were filmed, as the friends traveled the west coast of the UK on a nostalgic and emotional journey. Fans flooded Liliana with well-wishes while also praising Dave's efforts for the show, as one wrote: 'Oh Liliana, it must be difficult for you to watch. I watched it all and loved it, but found it very moving to see how emotional the boys were throughout!' A second commented: 'Always loved and followed them from the start and can't quite believe Dave has left us! He is truly missed by all of us, but especially you and Simon. But we have lovely memories of him and he will never be forgotten.' 'I watched the series a couple of times with my dad and cried my way through the last few episodes. A tremendous testament to Dave's courage, determination and his huge personality,' a third penned. Liliana said: 'For many reasons, this series is heartbreaking for me to watch, as I know how unwell he was and what a superhuman effort he made to finish the series' Last month Liliana appeared on ITV's Lorraine, where she told stand-in host Ranvir Singh about her grief. She said: 'It's an enormous thing to hear, that you have cancer, when you hear that, you don't fully understand the consequences of the treatment or the journey that is coming after that word. 'The stepson hospital corridors, the shattered dreams, the plans that you had for the future that are not going to be there anymore. 'The "What should I do? Should I do this? Should I do that"... 'And then afterwards, you're beating yourself up for thinking "I should have, I could have, I would have"...' Dave and Liliana first met at a hotel while he was filming for The Hairy Bikers and tied the knot in 2011.
