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Late Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers' widow reveals agonising guilt over his death in rare TV interview - and the harrowing ten-word question that still haunts her
Late Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers ' widow opened up about her agonising guilt over his death in rare TV interview on Friday's episode of Lorraine.
Liliana Orzac, 57, appeared on the ITV show to chat to step-in host Ranvir Singh, 47, about her new book Dave and Me.
TV legend Dave passed away in February 2024 aged 66, two years after his cancer diagnosis.
Speaking about her loss, Liliana spoke about her grief and told Ranvir: '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"...'
'The guilt the partner has left behind?,' Ranvir pointed out.
'And the guilt, the guilt you haven't done enough, and how could I let this happen in my care?' Liliana said of the questions that still haunt her.
Dave shot to fame in 1980s and is best known for being one half of the Hairy Bikers, with his best pal chef Si King, 58.
Over 20 years, the pair presented a number of TV shows including The Hairy Bikers Cookbook, Hairy Bikers' Best of British: Series Two and he Hairy Bikers Go West.
The pair have also released a number of cookery books, as well as an autobiography.
Dave and Liliana tied the knot in 2011 after meeting while filming Hairy Bikers.
'He loved life so much,' Liliana said of her husband.
'He was an inspiration for a lot of people.
'When I met him I was a little bit skeptical about things, I come from a different upbringing, I grew up with limitations imposed on us.
'I loved Dave's freedom of thinking, Dave's freedom of travel, Dave's freedom of expressing himself.
'Our first communication was through emails...'
Ranvir pointed out that they met at a hotel during a shoot during the first series of Hairy Bikers.
Liliana explained: 'A little hotel that I was managing. They stayed at the hotel and I helped them with locations in the area...
'I was really really fortunate to be in the position to help the, knowing the local area and the contacts, they needed to film something meaningful for the area and representative of the area.
'And we kept in touch by emails.
'He was sending me these beautiful emails from all over the world travelling in first and second series.
'I got these beautiful emails talking about Turkey and the spaces, India and the smells and the colorful India, the penguins of Patagonia, it was magic I read every time in his emails.
'He captured me with that for me it was a dream to travel, but for him it was a reality.
'I was seeing the world through his eyes. It was quite magical.
'Then we met, I met the kindness, the side of him, he was such a beautiful soul and so warm and caring, he was the first man to cook for me!'
On February 29 2024 it was revealed that Dave had died as Si revealed.
The chef announced he was receiving treatment for cancer in May 2022 and bravely kept the public up to date with his progress in a series of emotional TV specials
He died on February 28 2024 with his family and friends by his side.
In his heart-wrenching statement Si said: 'Hi everyone, I'm afraid I bear some sad news.
'Most of you will know Dave has been fighting cancer for the past couple of years.
'Last night, on 28th February 2024, with Lili, Dave's wife, his family, close friend David and myself by his side, he passed away peacefully at home.
'All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing. His beloved wife brought him such happiness as did her children, Iza and Sergiu who Dave loved like his own.
'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.
'I wish you god's speed brother; you are and will remain a beacon in this world. See you on the other side. Love ya.'
Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
