Si King, cook

Si King, the beloved TV presenter and co-founder of The Hairy Bikers, shares a deeply personal and moving journey on Desert Island Discs, reflecting on his life shaped by family, music, motorbikes, and profound loss. Born in a North East pit village, Si recounts the formative influence of his father—a Royal Navy veteran and early kidney transplant pioneer—and his mother Stella, whose love was expressed through cooking. His early life was marked by resilience, grief, and a deep connection to community, both through his family and the motorcycle culture that became his second home. The emotional core of the episode centers on his lifelong friendship with Dave Myers, his on-screen partner and best friend, whose death from cancer in 2024 prompted a massive outpouring of love from fans and bikers, culminating in two epic motorcycle rides that honored his legacy. Si opens up about the toll of fame, the strain on his marriage, and his own health struggles, including a brain aneurysm, revealing a man who has endured immense personal challenges with quiet strength. Despite this, he finds joy in rebuilding—launching a socialist-run restaurant in his hometown of Sunderland, reconnecting with his roots, and stepping back into the spotlight with a solo project, all while honoring Dave’s memory. The episode is a tapestry of music, memory, and meaning, with each of Si’s eight chosen tracks serving as a portal to pivotal moments: from the empathy in Lindisfarne’s 'A Winter Song' to the emotional weight of Journey’s 'Ask the Lonely,' which he associates with his children’s innocent mispronunciation. His desert island choices—William Dalrymple’s historical works, a solar fridge, and the Bible—reflect his values: intellectual curiosity, practicality, and spiritual grounding. Si’s resilience, warmth, and unwavering loyalty to family and community shine through, painting a portrait of a man who has weathered storms but remains deeply human, hopeful, and rooted in love.