Sy King Breaks Hearts and Lifts Spirits on Loose Women: A Soul-Stirring Tribute to Dave Myers and the Mongolia Mission That’s Bigger Than Food

In a rare and deeply emotional appearance on Loose Women, Sy King — one half of the legendary culinary duo The Hairy Bikers — sat down to share stories of loss, laughter, and a mission that goes far beyond the plate. With his trademark warmth, wit, and just a touch of mischief, Sy captivated the studio audience as he opened up about life after the passing of his best friend and co-biker, Dave Myers, the powerful environmental story he uncovered in the vast plains of Mongolia, and the explosive phenomenon known now as “Dave Day.”

From the moment Sy walked onstage, the energy shifted. The audience erupted in applause — not for a celebrity, but for a man who, alongside Dave, had become a fixture in their homes, hearts, and kitchens. “You guys pay my wages,” Sy joked, clearly moved but quick to crack a grin. Yet what followed was no ordinary celebrity chit-chat. This was a conversation about grief, global warming, legacy, and laughter — sometimes all in the same breath.

“I’ve Chopped Onions in Some Weird Places, But Never on Someone’s Bed”

The conversation turned quickly to Sy’s latest adventure — a journey to the windswept, otherworldly landscapes of Mongolia, a country six times the size of the UK with only 3.5 million inhabitants. Most reside in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, while the rest live as nomadic herders, moving with the seasons. But climate change, Sy warns, is tearing that rhythm to pieces.

“They’re not moving seasonally anymore,” he explained. “They’re having to move five, six, even eight times a year because the land just can’t sustain their herds. The grass is disappearing. It’s brutal.” Temperatures swing from -40°C in winter to 36°C in summer. And yet, these proud families, some of whom Sy shared soup and laughter with, live in gers (tents), surviving in harmony with a land that is now turning against them.

Sy was there with IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) to raise awareness — not as a TV chef, but as a storyteller. And what a story he told.

Minimalism, Mongolian-Style: Two Functions for Everything – Even the Fire-Poking Stick

Sy couldn’t help but reflect on how the simplicity of nomadic life stripped away modern clutter. “Everything they have has two uses,” he marvelled. “A stick isn’t just a stick — it pokes the fire and props the door open. It made me laugh when the paper back home said ‘Sy King Goes Minimalist.’ I thought, Have I?”

This stripped-back life, he said, stands in stark contrast to the material chaos of the West. And it taught him something powerful: “They don’t want to be nomadic — they are nomadic. It’s in their DNA. But they need our help if they’re going to survive the 21st century.”

“He’s Still My Best Mate. That Doesn’t Stop Just Because He’s Gone.”

But while Mongolia gave Sy new insights, the loss of Dave Myers — who passed away in 2023 after a brave battle with cancer — hung heavy in the air.

There was a moment of silence, then Sy said quietly, “He hasn’t stopped being my best mate. Just because he’s passed, that doesn’t change.” His voice trembled, but the glint in his eye remained. “He’s always about. I have a Dave Day every day.”

And now the world has one too.

Dave Day: The Greatest Biker Tribute in History

In a spectacular show of love, Dave Day in 2024 became a seismic cultural moment — a thunderous tribute from fans, friends, and fellow riders. “We had 46,000 motorbikes. And 175,000 people,” Sy announced. The crowd gasped. Even Loose Women’s hosts were stunned.

“It started with a fan who messaged Dave’s wife Lily and said, ‘When I’m feeling down, I just think I’m having a Dave Day,’” Sy explained. “And that was it. That was the name.”

It wasn’t just a memorial — it was a movement. Roaring engines, teary hugs, and a sky full of memories. A celebration of food, friendship, and freedom on two wheels.

The Infamous Lift Prank: Dave’s Final Mischief Lives On

And of course, no tribute to Dave would be complete without a naughty story. “He had this awful habit,” Sy confessed with a chuckle. “He’d… do something very unsavoury in a lift, and then get out early, leaving me stuck with it.”

The audience howled. “It became a game. I never knew what floor he’d get off at. I’d panic and try to jump out before it hit!”

Even in his absence, Dave is still making Sy — and all of us — laugh.

Legacy Beyond the Kitchen

Sy’s appearance wasn’t just about remembering Dave. It was about carrying the torch. Whether it’s championing climate change awareness in Mongolia or making sure Dave Day becomes an annual biker tradition, Sy is determined that the legacy of The Hairy Bikers doesn’t die with one of them.

“This was never about TV fame,” he says. “It was about making people smile. And food. And bikes. And each other.”

Sy King’s raw vulnerability, paired with his unstoppable humour, proved one thing: the Hairy Bikers spirit lives on — in every chopped onion, every ride into the unknown, and every belly laugh shared between mates, both living and gone.