The Hairy Bikers’ Big Night Out in York, Grand Opera House, March 5, Sold out

11:34am Friday 5th February 2010

By Charles Hutchinson

BIKES and pans at the ready, Simon King and David Myers have set off on their first national tour, taking their Hairy Bikers road show around Britain for 45 dates of “world-inspired cooking, fascinating stories and hearty laughs”.

The food-loving stars of BBC2’s The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, The Hairy Bikers Ride Again, The Hairy Bikers Come Home and The Hairy Bakers’ Food Tour Of Britain have travelled the globe in search of exotic cuisine and new cultural experiences, visiting Southern India, Turkey, Argentina, Romania and Mexico.

Staying closer to home for their Big Night Out, the biker boys will discuss their culinary adventures and personal experiences, show their previously unseen TV screen test and prepare two three-course meals in 15 minutes each in a show that combines cookery and comedy, social commentary and anthropology.

CHARLES HUTCHINSON hears the bikers rev up for the journey ahead, with a visit to York on the horizon next month.

Given your ease with everyone you bump into on your travels, would you agree that a live show seems a natural progression for you, Simon?

“We hope we’re good with people. We like folk. Folk are generally brilliant.

“A live show gives you instant gratification. When you film, it’s always deferred gratification. But when you’re performing live, you can say to yourself, ‘Did they laugh? Yes! Great. That makes me feel really good!’”

“I love cooking in the street because you always meet so many fascinating people. One reason we want to do the stage show is to have that connection with people. When you’re filming you don’t connect with the audience in the same way. I can’t wait.”

“Dave and I have been friends for a very long time. We were doing trips together long before the cameras were there. I think there is a lot of integrity to our shows. People relate to us because we’re just ordinary fellers. We’re cooks, not chefs. There is a normality and a familiarity about us. People will have friends like Dave and me.”

“Si and I genuinely are mates. With us, what you see is what you get. Also, we’ve never done the same thing twice. In life, you want to keep changing and trying new things. We delight in diversification and I think the viewers do, too. Another thing is, we’ve never patronised people. For example, on Mums Know Best, we always let the mums speak for themselves. It’s dead honest.”

“We’ve been very lucky in our careers. We’ve never done anything we didn’t want to do. Every project has got to light our candle.

“We’re not jobbing presenters – we’re our own men. In this world we live in, it would be very easy to be cynical, but we’re not made that way. We’re not robots; we really like what we do. We’re very positive about things and I hope people warm to that.

“We’re great enthusiasts, and food and travel are great mediums for that enthusiasm. There’s already enough cynicism in the world, and if two people refuse to be cynical, that’s refreshing. Long may it continue. If I ever become a rotund, miserable, cynical git, please do tell me.”

Does it help that appreciation of good food is a globally shared language, David?

“Food is the biggest common denominator. Wherever you’re from, it cuts through class, religion, race and nationality. There is some snobbery about food, but whether you’re talking about filet mignon or fish and chips, the sensory pleasure of food is the same. It’s something everyone can understand. It’s universal.”

How has your good friend Bob Mortimer assisted you in preparing the Hairy Bikers’ Big Night Out, Simon?

“It’s Bob’s arena. He’s so talented and has been very sharp about shaping the show and giving it a narrative.”

“Bob has made it a show rather than a collection of rambling stories. He’s a great editor. He’s used to crafting shows, so this will be a proper night out. Never fear – people will not feel short-changed.”

No doubt your live shows will add to your run of success. How much more mileage might there by for the Hairy Bikers, Simon?

“We’ll keep going as long as people want to watch us. We’re flavour of the month now. I’m sure when it stops, we’ll be like sucking sour plums.

“Tickets are selling very well. There appears to be a great appetite for this show, which is very flattering, but we never take anything for granted. We’re just grateful that people turn up.”

• The Hairy Bikers’ Big Night Out in York at the Grand Opera House on March 5 at 7.30pm has sold out. For returns only, ring 0844 847 2322. Their latest series, The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best, finishes on Tuesday on BBC2 at 8pm.