Mail readers have reacted to the awful news this morning (February 26) that one half of the much-loved Hair Bikers has been lost.

Barrow-born Dave Myers has died at the age of 66 after battling cancer for a few years.

His co-star and best friend Si King announced the news on his Twitter page this morning.

Barrovians have come out in force to pay their respects to the TV chef calling him a 'Great advocate' for the town.

Many have recalled the times he's been out and about in Barrow and have shared their anecdotes.

Speaking to the Mail, Sarah Martakies said: "It was a few years ago now saw him in Morrisons and he was happy to chat with us. 

"My daughter Jessica is 16 now and she asked where the other hairy biker was. He said 'we're not always together you know.'

Chantelle Whitehouse met him in 2009 with her son during a campaign launch at Barrow Town hall.

She said: "Such a nice person. He came to our breastfeeding conference. He was a really kind and gentle man and very friendly.

"I love in the picture how him and the baby are looking at each other."

Janet Mullen met him with her daughter at a book signing in 2006 when the Hairy Bikers' Cook Book was published she said: "R.I.P Dave. A True Barrovian who will be sadly missed.

Kelly Warriner was lucky enough to bump into him whilst he was filming for the Hairy Bikers on Devon Street and he was kind enough to take a picture with her.

Sue Calvin bumped into him in Homebase in 2011 and said "Dave was such a lovely man. My heart goes out to his family and friends at such a sad time .R.I.P."

Other local people who didn't manage to get a picture with him said: "So sad, lovely man remember him when he was young his mum was in Roose hospital and he used to come visit her.

"Met him few years ago and was talking to him about looking after his mum in hospital and remembered him coming to see her.

"He said can I just shake your hand for looking after my mam bless him. I thought that was lovely rip, god bless him and his family, he will be with his lovely mam now."

One woman said: "Aww no, I served him a couple of times in Morrisons and he always seemed lovely."

Another added: "Very sad news was a lovely man always proud of the town he came from my dad worked with his dad down the paper mills always spoke well of him RIP. Dave.

One fan said: "We saw him once in Debenhams. We walked past and I felt a little Starstruck. Sad news."