The widow of TV chef Dave Myers, best known as one half of the Hairy Bikers, has candidly shared how she has been dealing with grief and the many different challenges
Dave Myers was a ‘truly special person,’ his widow Liliana said(Image: Getty Images)
The grieving widow of legendary TV presenter and chef Dave Myers has recalled two poignant wishes following his death.
Dave Myers, found fame alongside Si, his friend of 30 years, as part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo The Hairy Bikers, married Liliana Orzac in 2011. The pair met in Romania when he was filming the famous series for the BBC. She was a single mum with two children, working long hours at a modest hotel in Maramures, Romania while Dave, then 47, was a popular face on TV, whose programme was about to attract millions of viewers.
Yet, the chemistry was there and, within two years, Liliana moved to the UK to live with Dave and in 2011 the couple tied the knot in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in front of 150 guests. But just two years after being diagnosed with cancer the popular TV presenter died in February 2024 with Si by his side.
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Dave Myers and Si King met in 1995 on the set of the TV drama “The Gambling Man”(Image: BBC/South Shore Productions/Jon Boast)
Just over a year his after passing, Dave’s wife Liliana Myers revealed her struggle with the loss of her soulmate. She candidly shared how she has been dealing with grief and the many different challenges. In her moving message, Liliana shared: “Three distinct experiences to report. I had my motorbike training yesterday and driving over there I was having thoughts of giving up.
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“Because I’d made mistakes and wobbled before, and I did not want to waste anyone’s time on me. Mark, my instructor from Darbyshire motorcycle school, is the most caring person I met and he told me this. ‘Lil, you can’t just give up now. So many people are looking up on you as a model. You now have a voice’. Boommm… that opened my eyes.”
Earlier this year, Liliana revealed she has penned memoir, in a bid to honour the life of the much-loved TV chef. Announcing the new book, she said: “This past year has been incredibly challenging for me on many levels!!! But guess what? I used all my creative side and honoured Dave by writing his story. Our story. “Today is the reveal!!!”
The book, Adapted from Dave And Me, will delve deeper into her life with and without Dave as the widow shares her journey from meeting Dave to his tragic demise.
Liliana and Dave had many happy years together(Image: Liliana Myers/Facebook)
In her interview with the Daily Mail, Liliana said: “The truth is I do wish I’d met Dave a lot earlier in my life and I do wish I’d had more time to feel loved by him and to make him see how much happiness he brought into my world. Into the whole world.” She went on to say: ” I tell myself it didn’t matter how much I loved him or how much he wanted to live, it wasn’t going to happen and so the ‘why’ questions are pointless.
“The longer you stay in the ‘why’ zone, the more prolonged the grief and the more complicated it becomes, so I’m going to try instead to focus on the wonderful 20 years Dave gave me. But I will always wish we had met earlier in life. I wish. I wish.”
Today’s horoscope for Saturday, June 14 will see Leo create a calming atmosphere, while Libra realises they put their trust in the wrong person
Find out what’s written in the stars with our astrologer Russell Grant(Image: Daily Record/GettyImages)
It’s Saturday, and one star sign will prioritise honest conversations today, while another should resist the urge to dwell on the past.
There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.
These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.
Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)
It’s important to remember that decisions you make in your personal life will also affect your family. There are numerous attractive options available to you now but every one requires careful consideration. It may also be necessary for you to discuss some plans with a housemate.
Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)
An older colleague will support your plans. You might be thinking about starting a new home business or work project. Exercise and meditation will help rejuvenate your spirit. Be sure to nourish your body with healthy food and stay hydrated.
Gemini (May 22 – June 21)
Memories of difficult times keep coming into your head even when you try to push these aside. You know you need to let go of the pain caused by others. The only way to do this is be able to forgive them. Remember, nothing is so awful that it needs to be held in your heart indefinitely.
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Cancer (June 22 – July 23)
Having fun with friends is all you want to do. Invite your family around for a potluck meal and extend the invitation to neighbours, as well. This is your chance to strengthen bonds with those around you. This evening will be perfect for romantic moments with your partner.
Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)
Friends and relatives are heading for your door. There’s nothing quite as inviting as draping throws over your couch and filling the air with the warm scent of freshly baked bread. Today is an ideal opportunity to create that calming atmosphere which will be appreciated by all who come to visit.
Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)
Having to postpone a trip will cause you some sadness. The quicker you can re-book, the happier you will feel. There’s no need to stress about finding someone to cover for you at work or sorting out childcare. Friends and colleagues appreciate the reason behind your change of plans.
Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)
There is concern about money that is being withheld that is rightfully yours. Resolving this issue is proving a bigger challenge than you had expected and you’re starting to realise you have put your trust in the wrong person. Some people are turning out to be unreliable and untrustworthy.
Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)
Communication issues continue to arise forcing you to have to deal with matters you would prefer not to have to think about. Instead of striving for perfection, just let things flow naturally. When talking to others, aim for honesty and clarity.
Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)
You’re ready for a change. It may be necessary for you to persuade a partner not to be narrow-minded or scattered in their thoughts. This is your chance to express your emotions and desire to enjoy activities involving creative people. Have faith in the abundance of the Universe.
Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)
It’s hard to distinguish between what is gossip and what is genuine conversation. While it can be fun to talk about what’s going on in your neighbourhood, you won’t want to hear anyone criticise your own family. For this reason you might decide you prefer not to discuss other people, at all.
Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)
You’re feeling unappreciated by your family and you wonder why you make so much effort to please them when they do so little for you. You aren’t the only one who is starting to feel that way but communication barriers prevent mutual understanding.
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Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)
Keep the atmosphere light within the home. Your aim should be to enjoy the time you spend together and you can do this by steering clear of touchy topics. Stay present and resist the urge to dwell in the past.
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David Beckham was finally awarded a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours list this week – and we asked Mirror readers to share their thoughts on his long-awaited honour. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
David Beckham is tipped to receive a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours(Image: Getty Images)
David Beckham finally received a knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours list – and we asked Mirror readers whether the Manchester United icon deserves the accolade. The former England star has been considered for the honour for over a decade, having made notable donations to charity and receiving an OBE from the late Queen Elizabeth in 2003 for his services to football.
Beckham, who played 115 times for England, will soon take the title of Sir and join a long list of football legends who have also been recognised by the Royal Family. His wife Victoria will also be known as Lady Beckham.
The King’s Birthday Honours List was announced on Friday night with over a thousand recipients awarded for their exceptional achievements, with a particular focus on those who have given their time to public service.
This year’s recipients include dedicated community champions, role models in sport, pioneers in the arts, passionate health workers, and supporters of young people.
Other celebs to be honoured included Strictly Come Dancing’s Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, Oscar winner Gary Oldman and The Who’s Roger Daltrey.
Earlier this week we asked Mirror readers if they thought Becks deserves to be knighted, and 60 percent said ‘No’. Around 12,452 people took part in our poll, and a staggering 7,472 selected the option ‘No – I don’t think so.’
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Taking to the comments section of three Mirror articles, readers have had their say on the topic. One user penned: “There are lots of other ordinary people who do not have famous personas, influence and money to start up a charity or input to other charities that for me deserve knighthoods or damehoods than these pair.
“Unfortunately, we live in a celebrity world and the ordinary man, woman and child who do so much for charities, hardly get noticed let alone a thought for a knighthood or damehood. I recognise and think much more of those who deserve the recognition or a recognition than a very wealthy footballer and his wife.”
Another echoed: “Where are the knighthoods for the people who fought to save lives during Covid ? Or the war heroes who lost limbs in Afghanistan and Falklands ? Or the doctors and surgeons who save lives daily in the theatres, the Samaritans and ambulance staff who save lives or work helping people to overcome tragedies, the social workers who have to daily cry at the abuse and horrific parenting they have to report about, the teachers who saved their pupils from gunmen? Where are their knighthoods and all the rest? Beckham doesn’t deserve a slice of cake let alone a knighthood. What a sham.”
“It should go to ordinary everyday people, who work tirelessly raising money for charities and don’t get any recognition for it. He’s been paid handsomely for kicking a football around for 90minutes,” expressed a third.
A fourth posted: “When do people that really do deserve recognition…get the recognition. There are many more well deserved that do great work,” while another voiced: “What a waste of a knighthood. Plenty of others should come way before him.”
Meanwhile, a hefty 4,980 said the football star does deserve the honour, as one person defended: “Well deserved, does lots for charity and I am sure will use his knighthood for the good of all the charities he is associated with. He was just a normal young lad and he made it in the footballing world, his talent was there for all to see and as for Posh she was just another teenage who made it in the music world and then went on to the fashion world, two ordinary people who have made it big, good on them.”
A second added: “I think he has done more good than bad. He’s certainly more deserving than those senior public ‘servants’ and judges who do more bad than good but receive titles automatically,” while a third agreed: “He has done a lot more for this country than most of them who get these knighthoods.”
“I am in the camp that thinks Beckham should be knighted. He was special, he has done lots for charity and has been an ambassador for his country. Yes I think he should become a Sir,” concluded another.
Becks was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 following his role in securing the London 2012 Olympics – but was blocked by the Honours Committee after he became embroiled in a tax avoidance scheme, which he was cleared of four years ago.
In 2017, shocking emails from Beckham were leaked, revealing his fury at the New Years honours committee and possibly setting him back in his pursuit of a knighthood. The football star is said to have branded the committee “unappreciative c***s” and added that he “didn’t care about being knighted” – though the ex-midfielder has claimed some of the leaked emails had been doctored.
The leaked emails claim the former footballer said: “I expected nothing less. It’s a disgrace to be honest and if I was American I would of got something like this 10 years ago.” He is also reported to have slammed opera star Katherine Jenkins after she was given an OBE. “Katherine Jenkins OBE for what? Singing at the rugby and going to see the troops. F***ing joke.”
Beckham was appointed as an ambassador to HM’s charity the King’s Foundation, which was seen as an encouraging sign earlier last year. He said at the time: “I’m excited to be working with The King’s Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity’s work.
“I’ve always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I’m particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation’s education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature.” Do you think David Beckham deserves to be knighted? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and you can still vote in our poll HERE to have your say.
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Please note that the poll is still live, so these results may change after the article has been published.
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Annabel Croft, the former professional tennis player who won the San Diego Open in 1985, lost her Mel Coleman to stomach cancer in May 2023, months before her Strictly Come Dancing adventure
Annabel Croft and Mel Coleman are pictured at a ballet event in May 2021(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
TV presenter Annabel Croft says Strictly Come Dancing “saved her” following the death of her husband.
Tragedy struck when the former professional tennis player’s spouse Mel Coleman died in May 2023 after a short battle with stomach cancer. The couple married in 1993 after Mel, a professional yachtsman, taught Annabel how to sail for a TV programme.
The grief hit Annabel, 58, hard, particularly as she and Mel had planned to retire and downsize in southwest London. It was only when she agreed to – and lasted 10 weeks on – Strictly Come Dancing that Annabel, who won the San Diego Open in 1985, felt she could tackle her bereavement.
Speaking to The Telegraph this week, the TV and radio host said: “I don’t know what I would have done without being busy. I would have sunk… Literally within a few weeks [of losing him] I was on the phone to my agent. He said, ‘I’ve signed you up to Strictly. You’re giving an interview tomorrow because they are announcing it’.”
Following the series, in which Annabel came fourth, the grief became less raw. The former tennis star said the pain now “comes in rain showers but they are getting less and then it’s gone”. She added: “I didn’t know I had an incredible marriage, but I did.”
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Annabel (right) competed on Strictly against the likes of Angela Rippon (left) and Ellie Leach (centre) (Image: PA)
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Now, Annabel is a pundit on tennis coverage across Eurosport, Sky Sports and the BBC and she is also expecting her first grandchild as her oldest daughter Amber Rose is pregnant.
And the presenter is downsizing – two years on from her original plans with Mel. She is moving within London but wants to live near the River Thames as Mel always hoped to be beside the water.
“There is so much to be positive about. I don’t want to be a professional widow. I understand that a lot of people can identify with what I’ve been through, but I don’t want grief to define me,” Annabel, who won Celebrity Wrestling on ITV in 2005, said.
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“Strictly was so helpful to me. I realised how much I loved dancing and I’ve wondered whether I went down the wrong path [with tennis] when I might have been a dancer instead.”
During her time on Strictly, Annabel was paired with Johannes Radebe. The pair developed a quick rapport and remain friends now. Annabel, host of the original Treasure Hunt on Channel 4, continued: “He’s part of the family now. We are bonded for life.”
The DrDent Professional Teeth Whitening Strips are currently on sale and provide visible results after a few uses
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Shoppers are full of praise for the teeth whitening strips that are currently on sale(Image: Getty Images/Barcin)
Summer is full of holidays, weddings and social gatherings, and it can be a worrying time for people who are unhappy with their smile. Thankfully, there’s a solution available to become ‘photo ready’ in no time, and it’s currently on sale.
DR. DENT’s Professional Teeth Whitening Strips are a hit among shoppers and a current Amazon bestseller. They are now on offer with a 28% discount, slashed from £25.99 to £18.70, meaning each whitening session costs 80p. An additional 5% off can also be obtained by ticking the voucher beneath the product on Amazon.
While professional treatments can set you back over £250 and some DIY alternatives result in painful sensitivity, DR.DENT provides a clever, gentle substitute that fans have praised for delivering ‘instant results’ without draining your wallet. Numerous shoppers have reported noticeably whiter teeth after just 1–3 applications, dubbing the strips a ‘game-changer’ and commending their affordability and simplicity of use.
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As reported by the Manchester Evening News, the whitening strips are devoid of peroxide and brimming with natural, ethically sourced ingredients such as coconut oil and lemon fruit oil. Potassium nitrate aids in guarding against sensitivity, allowing one to still enjoy ice cream and refreshingly cold cocktails without concern.
DR.DENT asserts that their range can eliminate stains from coffee, wine, or food. They also claim to brighten teeth by up to eight shades while remaining gentle on enamel.
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The quick 30–60 minute treatments are ideal for travellers, seamlessly fitting into hectic packing routines or as part of pre-event prep, with no appointments necessary. Compact and easy to carry, these treatments are just the ticket for on-the-go touch-ups, ensuring users are camera-ready for wedding season or summer gatherings.
There are many teeth whitening solutions on the market, from strips to LED therapies and powder concoctions. The Smile Therapy PAP+ Teeth Whitening Kit uses phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) as a gentler peroxide substitute. Currently priced at £29.99, down from £59.99, simply apply the gel in a mouth tray, flick on the LED gadget, and wait to see the results.
Another option is Polished London’s Hyaluronic Teeth Whitening Powder. It costs £27.99 and vows to vanquish stains without using peroxide, plus it’s kind to enamel.
A significant difference can be seen after only a few uses(Image: DR.DENT)
DR.DENT’s teeth whitening strips have earned a 4.4 star-rating on Amazon from over 3,100 customers. A satisfied customer said: “The product really works. Very impressive and instant results. Better even than my recent experience with a private dentist at a cost of £250 over a period of 6 weeks.”
Another commented: “I used the strips consistently for a week before my holiday and was really impressed with the results. I struggle to keep my teeth white as a coffee and Coke Zero drinker, but noticed a visible difference and received compliments on the whiteness of my teeth too.”
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“Best strips I’ve ever used,” someone else wrote, adding: “I have used the strips for the last several months and they are now my go to for whitening my teeth. Not only do they provide great results every time, they are mess free and great value. I love these so much both myself and my husband used these for our wedding day. Recommend to all.”
The Loose Women star, 65, whipped up the dish after a ‘very long’ Pilates session this week – the recipe is very straight-forward
Ruth Langsford shared the recipe with fans on Instagram(Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Ruth Langsford has shared a quick salad recipe with fans that’s ideal for a simple lunch. The 65-year-old Loose Women star mentioned that she made it after a ‘very long’ Pilates session this week, showcasing the dish on Instagram.
“Quick, lunch for one,” she wrote. “Did Pilates this morning with @siobhanklloyd after a VERY long time so I thought I’d better follow up with a healthy lunch!”
If you’re eager to try Ruth’s recipe, here are the eight essential ingredients she used.
One portion
Lettuce
Chopped cucumber
Avocado slices
M&S Seafood Sauce
Cooked prawns
A small volume of milk
A sprinkle of black pepper
A sprinkle of paprika
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To kickstart her recipe, Ruth first chopped her ingredients off-camera before throwing the lettuce, chopped cucumber and lettuce into a dish. She then placed her cooked prawns in a separate bowl before coating them in a generous spoonful of the M&S Seafood sauce.
Once thoroughly mixed together, she popped the prawns on top of the salad in her serving dish. However, she then realised that a little more dressing was needed.
In light of this, she blended more of the seafood sauce with a tiny splash of milk in another separate bowl. She said this helped to loosen the dressing, which she subsequently drizzled over the salad.
Ruth’s simple recipe contains just eight ingredients(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
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As a final touch, paprika and black pepper were sprinkled on top. Ruth added: “Yes…my battery-operated pepper mill has a light!!!”
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The TV star’s recipe was quickly showered by comments from fans, with many complementing her straight-forward but delicious-seeming recipe. One person wrote: “Love this Ruth. Looks delicious and healthy.”
Another person added: “Looks lovely Ruth . Great tasty lunch,” while someone else said: “I need that now please.”
