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MUCH-LOVED for their down-to-earth approach to healthy cooking, Dave Myers and Si King – best known as TV chefs the Hairy Bikers – have emerged from lockdown with a new mission.
While they have always been keen to educate the nation on eating well, following a tough year for both they have turned their attention to the mental health crisis that has gripped the country since the pandemic began.
Dave said: “It hit home during the second lockdown after Christmas with the very depressing long winter months. Not knowing when there was going to be an end to it and all the deaths and the associated grief.”
Realising others felt the same, they set up a twice-weekly Instagram group, which attracted more than 1000 followers, where members could talk about anything they liked.
Father-of-three Si, 54, who lives near Newcastle, said: “It was a bit of a self-help group for everybody. It was our way of saying, ‘We’re still here and you can come have a chat with us.’ It helped Dave and I enormously, too.”
Dave, 63, who lives with wife Liliana and divides his time between homes in France and Kent, added: “People could say what they wanted.”
It is no surprise the Hairy Bikers were feeling the effects of the pandemic. Research has revealed that more than 50 per cent of men have suffered poor mental wellbeing in the last year.
A six-month research project by men’s health charity Movember reported many now feel isolated and distant from friends, prompting concerns for their long-term mental health and wellbeing – and nearly 33 per cent meet the criteria for depression.
Si said: “Dave and I have always encouraged men to talk about their health and open up that dialogue. That’s because we were two middle-aged men who struggled with weight and to lose pounds you have to deal with what’s in your head first.
“We’re just like everybody else – we struggle with our moods and mental health.”
Over the past year, Si and Dave started to look at what they could do to boost their mood on a daily basis and Dave makes time to check in on himself.
He said: “I’m a terrible worrier. I’ve worried since I was a little boy. I keep telling myself that being aware is one thing but worrying isn’t going to change anything – it’s just going to make me ill.
“I think it’s also worthwhile checking in every now and again and realising what you have.”
Si has started seeing a therapist. He said: “Therapy is a road I’ve gone down because you sometimes need professional help and intervention. You just can’t do it yourself.
“You need to have a professional that opens up doors – those doors you don’t want to open. It’s a journey you have to make. There’s nobody else who can make it for you, you have to do it.”
Alongside therapy, Si exercised daily using a rowing machine, punch bag and stretches, as well as volunteering to cook for his local community.
He said: “Exercise is great because it releases endorphins into your system. It was the single biggest change for me. I rowed, punched a punch bag for 20 minutes and stretched, and that just helped lift my mood. I’d also cook for the elderly members of the community, too. That was important. There was a sense of community that helps very much with people’s mental health.
“You need that sense of place and I think what’s come out of the pandemic is a greater sense of community.”
For Dave, regular dog walks got him outside and active. He said: “The dog has never been walked so religiously. I’ve also been reading a lot and cooking.”
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The Hairy Bikers have been putting this into action, filming a new television series around lockdowns in the north of England, as well as drawing up an exciting new cookbook. Dave said: “We wanted to write a really useful book. People only ever cook nine meals in rotation so we put a survey out to see what people wanted to eat
“People said they loved a Bakewell tart and a trifle so we’ve put them together.
“Now a recipe for Bakewell trifle exists.”
But while the Bikers are back with TV shows and cookbooks, they are careful not to lose the lessons learned in lockdown.
Si said: “I fancy starting yoga. It’s taken nearly 55 years to get to this point.”
Dave added: “I’m looking forward to food festivals. They are starting to come back and that’s a big step to normality.”
The Hairy Bikers have teamed up with Tyrrells crisps to create the limited-edition Biker Burger flavour. It is exclusively available from The Co-op, priced £2.29.