KING OF THE COOKS
Who is Hairy Biker Si King and is he married? Meet TV cook and author Simon James King
The presenter has been open about fame impacting his relationships
HAIRY Bikers star Si King has appeared on British TV for decades and has become a household name.
The beloved presenter worked alongside late TV legend Dave Myers, who sadly passed away in February after battling cancer since 2022. But what do we know about him?
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Who is Hairy Biker Si King?
Simon James King was born on October 20, 1966, in Kibblesworth, County Durham, England.
He's a television presenter, cook and author, and one-half of the TV duo The Hairy Bikers.
Before becoming an on-camera star, Simon previously worked in film and television production.
The reality is the industry we work in is incredibly brutal, there are timelines and deadlines... I find it quite difficult.
Si King
He even worked on two Harry Potter films and is listed as assistant location manager on 2001's Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
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It was while working as the second assistant director on the set of TV drama The Gambling Man in 1995 that he first met the late Dave Myers, with whom he would work for many years.
The pair found fame as The Hairy Bikers in 2004, starring on the BBC cookery and travel show The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook.
This series followed King and Myers as they travelled to various locations across the world on their motorbikes, tasting and cooking the local cuisine and sharing facts about where they were visiting.
In February 2024, Hairy Biker's star Dave Myers tragically passed away after battling cancer.
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Confirming the news, co-star Si King wrote: "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.
"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 how I feel at the moment."
Dave Myers spent his final moments with his wife Lily, family and co-star Si King at his bedside.
The Hairy Bikers star passed away "peacefully" at his home aged 66 following a battle with cancer.
The Hairy Bikers presented several shows on BBC Two, including The Hairy Bikers' Food Tour of Britain, The Hairy Bikers' Cook Off, Meals on Wheels and The Hairy Biker's Bakeation.
They also released several cookbooks and diet books, and have been open with the public about their weight loss journeys after shedding six stone between them back in 2012.
In 2014, King suffered a brain aneurysm and credited his weight loss with helping him recover.
He told in 2016: "In aneurysms, high blood pressure is an issue. If I hadn’t lost all that weight with Dave in 2012, I probably wouldn’t have survived."
Popular TV duo announce career break amid health battle
In 2022 King revealed plans to open his own restaurant in Sunderland.
He said at the time: "Sunderland is a transforming city, and one with great provenance when it comes to local produce.
"It's a city by the sea, with access to fresh fish and seafood, plenty of allotments for homegrown fruit and veg, and a spirit of innovation that really appeals to me as a creative person."
The star, who lives near Newcastle and is a supporter of Newcastle United, is expected to open the venue - called Propa - in 2024.
King has been supporting Myers ever since his TV partner and friend was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.
Who is Si King's ex-wife?
King was previously married to his ex-wife Jane King for 27 years.
The couple welcomed three sons - Alex, James and Dylan - during their marriage but split in 2016, with King admitting their relationship had been left "in pieces” due to the pressures of his fame.
He told Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine in 2016: "We lost each other. Jane was focused on the family and I was focused on work.
"The reality is the industry we work in is incredibly brutal, there are timelines and deadlines.
"You have to be on form. Some people can do it. I find it quite difficult."
At the time, the former couple had separated but had not yet divorced.
Following his divorce from Jane, King found love again with Australian writer and food stylist Michele Cranston.
The pair became engaged in 2019 but their relationship ended in 2021.
While they were still together, King had been open about how tough the long-distance romance was between the UK and Sydney, where Cranston lived.
He told in 2018: “It's a long journey.
"If you’re going to fall in love, don’t fall in love with someone in Australia!"
What is Si King's net worth?
A number of online sources have reported King's net worth to be as high as £290million, while others have suggested a more realistic net worth for the star is £1.5million.
His TV partner Myers, meanwhile, was thought to be worth £2.9million.
King is likely to have amassed his fortune through his various TV appearances throughout the years, including BBC Two's The Hairy Bikers' Cook Off and Good Food's The Hairy Biker's Mississippi Adventure.
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He will also have made money from his and Myers' many cookbooks, as well as their sponsorship deals with brands, like stock pot company Knorr.
The Hairy Bikers have their very own Knorr stock available, which launched in supermarkets in 2023.
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