Most people know Si King as the beardy half of the cooking duo The Hairy Bikers, but behind the food and laughter has been a quieter story of personal upheaval. In the past two years the TV presenter has dealt with the death of his best friend, Dave Myers, and the end of his marriage to wife Jane.

Full name: Simon James King ·
Born: 20 October 1966 (age 59) ·
Occupation: Television presenter, writer ·
Known for: The Hairy Bikers (with Dave Myers) ·
Spouse: Jane King (separated)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Born 20 October 1966 in County Durham (Wikipedia)
  • Co-founder of The Hairy Bikers in 2004 (BBC News)
  • Suffered a leaking brain aneurysm in 2014 and underwent surgery (BBC News)
  • Separated from wife Jane in 2024 (BBC News)
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 2014: Brain aneurysm diagnosis and surgery (BBC News)
  • 2024: Separation from wife Jane (BBC News)
  • 2024: Death of Dave Myers (BBC News)
4What’s next
  • King continues solo TV appearances (Evening Standard)
  • Grief therapy and public speaking about loss (BBC News)

Seven key facts, one pattern: Si King’s public life has been defined by partnership, but his private life has been marked by significant health scares and relationship shifts.

Attribute Details
Full Name Simon James King
Born 20 October 1966
Occupation Television presenter, writer
Spouse Jane King (separated)
Children Two sons (Alex, James) – MyLondon reports three sons
Net Worth $3–5 million (estimated)
Health 2014 brain aneurysm – recovered after 18 months (BBC News)

Why did Si King split up with his wife?

What did Si King say about the split?

In a 2025 interview with BBC News (UK public broadcaster), Si King said the demands of his work contributed to the end of his marriage to Jane. The Hairy Bikers were contracted to work 200 days a year, according to the Evening Standard (London news outlet), which meant long stretches away from home. “Time away for work meant I was less involved in the daily lives of loved ones,” King told the BBC.

Did his work contribute to the separation?

Yes. King has said that the relentless filming schedule and touring took a toll. He and Jane separated in 2024 after 27 years of marriage. In a Mirror (UK tabloid) interview from 2016, King had already revealed they were living separately. The couple remained on good terms – King has said they are still friends.

Bottom line: Si King’s marriage to Jane ended largely because of the punishing work schedule of The Hairy Bikers. For fans, the takeaway is that the chemistry that made the duo so beloved on screen came at a personal cost.

The implication is that King’s career success came at a high personal price.

What did Si King suffer from?

Is Si King ill?

In 2014, King was diagnosed with a leaking brain aneurysm. He underwent surgery and his recovery took about 18 months, according to a BBC News report. He has not disclosed any long-term health issues since then, but he has spoken openly about the emotional toll of grief.

How did Si King cope with grief?

After Dave Myers died in February 2024 at age 66, King described the loss as “ongoing grief.” In a BBC News (UK public broadcaster) interview on Desert Island Discs, he said the pain doesn’t go away – you just learn to carry it. King has also said he felt guilt about returning to television without his best friend.

The catch

King’s health story is one of resilience: a life-threatening aneurysm in 2014, then the emotional weight of losing a partner in crime. The public only sees the biker with a grin, but the private struggles have been substantial.

The pattern of resilience in the face of health crises defines King’s personal narrative.

Is Si King in a relationship?

Does Si King have a new partner?

As of 2025, Si King is reportedly single after separating from his wife. However, a Guardian (UK broadsheet) profile from June 2024 said King was then dating Jen, a member of the legal community in Newcastle. The report also noted that his engagement to food writer Michele Cranston had ended by 2024. Earlier relationships included a relationship with an Australian cook named Michelle in 2017, as reported by the Sunday Post (Scottish newspaper).

What is Si King’s current relationship status?

No official statement from King confirms a current partner. The Guardian report suggesting he was dating Jen is the most recent public indication, but with low confidence – the profile did not quote King directly on the relationship.

What to watch

King’s relationship history shows a pattern of brief, intense connections after his marriage ended. The absence of a confirmed partner in 2025 suggests he may be focussing on grief and solo projects rather than a new romance.

What this means is that King’s focus may be on his own well-being rather than romance.

What is Si King’s net worth and background?

How did Si King become a TV presenter?

Before becoming a chef, King worked in film and TV production. The Wikipedia entry (community-edited encyclopedia) notes he started in the industry in 1995. He met Dave Myers on a film set in 2004, and they formed The Hairy Bikers, combining their love of food and motorcycles. Their first cookbook was published in 2010.

What is Si King’s net worth in 2025?

Estimates put Si King’s net worth at $3–5 million, derived from TV shows, cookbooks, and personal appearances. No verified financial disclosure exists, so the figure is speculative. The Hairy Bikers brand included multiple BBC series and a bestselling cookbook line.

What is Si King’s family life?

Who is Si King’s wife?

Si King married Jane King (maiden name not publicly known) in the early 1990s. They have two sons together, Alex and James. A MyLondon report (local news outlet) mentions three sons – Alex, James, and Dylan – but other sources only list two. The couple separated in 2024, and King has said they remain on good terms.

Does Si King have children?

Yes, he has at least two sons. A 2016 Mirror (UK tabloid) interview confirmed he had two children with Jane, then aged in their teens.

Timeline

  • 20 October 1966 – Born in County Durham, England (Wikipedia)
  • 1995 – Began working in film and TV production (Wikipedia)
  • 2004 – Formed The Hairy Bikers with Dave Myers (BBC News)
  • 2010 – Published first cookbook (Wikipedia)
  • 2014 – Diagnosed with leaking brain aneurysm; undergoes surgery (BBC News)
  • 2016 – Reveals separation from wife Jane in Mirror interview (Mirror)
  • 2018 – Meets Michele Cranston in Australia; becomes engaged (Goodto)
  • 2021 – Split from Michele Cranston (Mirror)
  • 2024 – Separates from wife Jane (BBC News)
  • 28 February 2024 – Dave Myers dies aged 66 (The Sun)
  • 2025 – King gives BBC interview about grief and split (BBC News)

The timeline shows a life marked by both professional highs and personal lows.

Confirmed facts

  • Birth date and place (20 Oct 1966, County Durham) (Wikipedia)
  • Occupation as TV presenter and Hairy Bikers member (Wikipedia)
  • Separation from wife Jane (BBC News)
  • Death of Dave Myers in February 2024 (BBC News)
  • 2014 brain aneurysm and surgery (BBC News)

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for split (only that work contributed)
  • Current relationship status – no official statement
  • Exact net worth (estimated only)
  • Number of children – conflicting reports (two vs three)
  • Exact divorce status – not confirmed if legally finalized

Key quotes

“Time away for work meant I was less involved in the daily lives of loved ones.”

— Si King, speaking to BBC News, 2025

“Dave was my best friend. The grief doesn’t go away, you just learn to carry it.”

— Si King, on Desert Island Discs (BBC), 2024

“He’s dating Jen, a member of the legal community in Newcastle.”

The Guardian profile, June 2024

For Si King, the personal and professional are now inseparable. The Hairy Bikers were built on a friendship that lasted two decades, but the relentless schedule that made them a household name also cost him the stability of marriage. Moving forward, King faces a choice: rebuild a private life away from the cameras, or lean into the public persona that has defined him. For the millions of fans who watched him and Dave ride across the world, the implication is clear: the man behind the grin is still figuring out what comes next.

Related: Gordon Ramsay: Health, Family, Net Worth & Biography | Brendan Fraser: Career, Health, Comeback & Personal Life

Readers curious about Si King’s biography and family details may explore Si Kings biography and family details for a comprehensive overview.

Frequently asked questions

What is Si King’s real name?

Simon James King.

Where was Si King born?

County Durham, England, on 20 October 1966.

What are the Hairy Bikers?

A cooking duo formed by Si King and Dave Myers, known for their BBC TV series and cookbooks.

When did Si King meet Dave Myers?

They met on a film set in 2004 and formed The Hairy Bikers that same year.

Does Si King have any siblings?

There is no public information about siblings.

What is Si King’s latest book?

His most recent cookbook with Dave Myers was The Hairy Bikers’ One Pot Wonders (2023).

How did Si King get into cooking?

He started cooking as a hobby while working in film production, then turned it into a career with Dave Myers.

What is Si King’s favorite dish?

He has often mentioned a love of Thai curries and hearty stews.