Hairy Bikers’ star Dave Myers says he is “missing his beard” after chemotherapy for his cancer treatment caused it to fall out.
The celebrity chef – who is known for his trademark long hair and beard – unveiled his new look on the Hairy Bikers Agony Uncles podcast.
He told listeners: “I’m missing my beard, but doing alright” before adding: “I was born with that beard.”
The 64-year-old, who revealed his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, said he missed the feeling of hair on his face.
“I just miss having the beard, the feeling of it. Because your skin is different and all peachy,” he explained.
“I want my beard back – I’m alright with my hair [on his head]. I think the bald head and beard is the way to go for a biker as you’re getting on.”
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Dave shared he had received his devastating diagnosis back in May, but stopped short of saying what type of cancer it is.
Speaking about the illness with his TV cooking partner Si King, 55, he said: "I may be a baldy biker for a while… it's simply something I have to live with."
He continued: "Anyway Kingy, I've got to come clean now, I haven't been too well recently and basically, I've got to have some chemo, you know all this anyway.
“So this year is going to be a bit quiet for me, I'm not going to be filming, some of the festivals I'm not going to be able to go to, some may be okay but this year's a bit of a write off for us."
Quipping his wife now thinks he looks like The Devil Wears Prada actor Stanley Tucci, he said: “Thank you to everyone who has sent a goodwill message to me.
“I appreciate your thoughts. I’ll get there. As you can see, I’ve embraced the baldness.”
The TV star said at the moment his prognosis is OK - and reassured fans he should be fine post-treatment.
He shared: "I have had to speak up about this because I don't want to hide under a rock.
“I would love it if people respected my privacy and just let me get on with it and give Si and our team all the support they need, that would be great.
"But look, the prognosis is okay, I'm going to be fine."
Dave revealed the treatment is working but has left him with some side effects including sore eyes as his eyelashes have fallen out.
Chemotherapy has also affected his taste and smell – and he confessed he has developed a craving for cottage pie and Vimto.
Speaking on Kate Thornton's podcast White Wine and Question Time, he said he will "never whinge about anything" and "embrace life" once he's recovered from his illness.
His sidekick Si, who appeared on the podcast with Dave, admitted he found it "tough" seeing his friend go through a cancer battle.
He said: "It's hard seeing someone you love in those trenches. It really is tough. He's as tough as an old boot, which is what we're all relying on. He's as hard as nails."
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