HAIRY Bikers fans were left in tears as Dave Myers shared a raw cancer update and insight into his treatment.
The TV presenter, 66, opened up on his heartbreaking diagnosis during his BBC Christmas special.
It saw him and Si King primarily focus on food but attention turned to Dave’s health battle.
As viewers watched previously unseen clips of the chef’s hospital treatment, he also recalled the moment he received his diagnosis.
Dave said: “When I first got the call, what went through my mind was disbelief, and a refusal to believe it in a way.
“It’s the word, isn’t it, the word that everybody fears.”
The telly favourite has been reluctant to share what type cancer he is battling and is still eager to keep it under wraps.
He explained: “I didn’t want to eat. I would fall over quite a lot. By the second lot of chemo my hair came out really quite radically.
“Your hair, eyelashes, everything just goes. I’ve never gone on about what sort of cancer I’ve got because I feel like that’s my business.
“I don’t want newspapers to run a lottery on how long I’ve got to live. That’s not what I want. I felt so guilty because of the effects it’s having on my wife Lil.”
He added: “It was all about survival, getting through from one week to the next.”
While viewers were moved by the intimate scenes and left in tears, they were delighted to learn Dave is finally back on his bike after his 37th round of chemotherapy.
Si, 57, said: “I knew I’d got my man back. It was like a miracle had happened, because it was something we thought he’d never do again. But he does it.
“I was jumping for joy, not for any other reason, but to see my best mate doing what he does.”
Reacting to the emotional scenes, one viewer said: “I watched the Hairy Bikers Christmas programme this evening and am fully choked up by it. What a celebration of life, what a beautiful testament to friendship. I’m glad Dave’s still here to make a lovely programme like that.”
A second posted: “Oh my goodness. So emotional, but so good to see Dave looking so well and back on his bike with Si.”
“Not expecting to cry watching the hairy bikers. But asking what you want for Christmas and the answer ‘you for a bit longer.’ Had me in bits,” said a third.
Ahead of Hairy Bikers: Home for Christmas airing, Dave shared how he wasn’t sure he’d still be alive for the festive period.
He told Metro: “It’s a Christmas I never thought I’d be here to enjoy, and thanks to these people, I am, which I’m heartily grateful for. It’s not closure, as I’m still having treatment, but it’s a bloody good milestone.”
