The Hairy Bikers Q&A - ask a question by Thurs 16th Jan 12pm

Dave - did you ever consider shipbuilding as a career? And Si - what would you have done if this career hadn't turned out?

Can I ask a supplementary question? Best Beloved what does the cooking uses your books - and Mary Berry. He likes to stick to the recipe exactly and is only now, after several years at the stove, starting to experiment. When Mary Berry was 'on' a few weeks ago I asked her about the use of garlic (she does - a lot) as, although I like it, I have an intolerance to the stuff. She said to just leave it out and he now does from her recipes. Do you agree? If you say so too then he will!
Thanks.

Hi Guys. I am on a bit of a diet (of sorts) at the moment. Just trying to cut down and eat more sensibly. I do not weigh myself at all and just know how much I weigh by howc my clothes feel on me. I have two questions if that's okay.

What one thing have you struggled to give up or cut down on? My problem is cheese I just love it and it breaks my heart when I see how many calories it contains. Its not fair.

In previous series(s) how on earth did you ever manage to eat all of that yummy food without bursting?

Oooops sorry third question How much weight have you actually lost between you and have you ever seen it piled up in lard?

I love everything you do (and I am a Geordie too) x

Loved watching you on TV! I'm on my healthy eating and use your recipes and inspiration as my starting point (made your Goulash for tea last night, yummy) I have been thinking about trying the 5:2 diet and would like your thoughts and if in the future you would consider devising some recipes/daily meal plans for the 500 calorie day? Thank you, Karen

How can you continue baking and keep the weight off?

Love the books and the series......

If you had to choose one recipe which you would recommend someone try to get them hooked on the books.... which would it be and why?

Have you watched The Taste? Would you ever judge on a show like that?

Your Hairy Dieters weight loss programme has inspired others (particularly men) to lose weight but do you now feel you have a responsibility to maintain your own weight loss and not put it back on again? Dave, your appearance on Strictly showed that you are fitter now so will any future series take a different direction to the 'eat everything, food is great, the more calorific the better' programmes of the past?

The Hairy Bikers shows appealed because of your sense of fun around food. Can you still lark about in the kitchen while preparing a low cal salad?

In other words, What's next??

When you weigh yourselves are you ever tempted to subtract a little to account for the weight of your hair?
My husband always goes to the toilet before a weigh in, but he is a bit follically challenged.

Please please can you give me some ideas for evening meals that will actually fill me up. Hate going to bed hungry. I don't eat dairy. 500 cals max but 400 would be even better. Thank you so much

I have no problem avoiding sweet foods and chocolate and am quite capable of healthy eating, but I really struggle with the portion sizes! How did you 2 overcome having so much less on your plates?

Hi Si and Dave

I love the fact that neither of you were professional chefs before Hairy Bikers and that you came from a very different industry. I feel this inhibits you less and gives you more freedom to experiment.

Two questions please;

1. You have combined a love of food and travel in many different ways - any hints as to what's in the pipeline for future series or publications?

2. Why won't my husband buy me a Gold Wing?

I would like to ask the Hairy bikers if they have anything against the south west? it seems they are either in the north or south east?

I have been a yoyo dieter all my life - how easy do you find it to maintain your new svelte looks?!

Best Beloved, who does the cooking now, is a great Hairy Biker fan and uses a lot of your recipes but the portions are so large. We find a serving for four does six portions. Are these measures for hulking great blokes?

We're not doing too well at loosing weight though. We fail abysmally on the resisting cheese front. I think we both need your diet club!

I really need to lose weight, but bread is my bugbear. Any tips on how I can cut bread out more, especially when I simply love toast.

Don't you feel bad having made your names and money with books and TV programmes full of calorie-rich recipes to now flogging a book to get people to lose weight?

Is it possible to have cheese when you are on a diet? what sort of cheese is best?

I really, really, really must lose about 3 stone but I don't seem to be able to motivate myself.
The fact I'm disabled and can't exercise (even less now after dislocating my shoulder) does not help.
What is this diet club of yours, and would it help me?

What's your favourite 'healthy' comfort food??

What was the hardest thing to give up/eat less of and how did you make up for it/ Mine is cheese and low fat cheese doesn't make up for it!!

Out of all the healthy things you've made, what's been your favourite!

How do you come up with the variations on old favourites such as the lasagne made with leeks? It really is inspirational and yummy!

Please give us more of this kind of dish, they really are life savers.

I have a few questions is that is OK !!

Having lost 2 stone in weight with a well known Slimming Group..... I now seem to be losing interest....and long for biscuits and chocolates.... any suggestions.

My husband is not in good health , and is overweight, but come what may I can not stop him from snacking... he likes his bread, crisps etc.

I just love your programme, and it is the only cookery programme my husband will watch... hmmmmm I wonder why...your lovely bikes may have something to do with it...him being an ex old biker..

What's the best kind of oil for salads I use Extra Virgin olive oil but anything that cuts down the calories is ok for me as long as it's tasty