More than a decade ago, Professor Roy Taylor worked with chefs Dave and his TV partner Si King - on the Hairy Dieters series - as the duo embarked on an ambitious campaign to lose two-and-a-half stones in three months.

Professor Taylor worked closely with the pair and was delighted when they shed the weight and Dave was able to beat his type 2 diabetes after following Roy’s suggested low calorie diet to reverse the disease to normal.

Sadly, Dave died last week at the age of 66 after battling cancer for a number of years. Today Professor Taylor has spoken of his sadness at losing such a beacon of light.  

He said: “Dave had an amazing ability to light up any conversation with positivity. He was kind, interested in other people and of course highly entertaining.

“It was a huge pleasure to work with him when he came to Newcastle University to shoot the Hairy Dieter series. Subsequently, he made no secret of his delight at reversing his type 2 diabetes to normal and staying in remission for years.

“In real life Dave was exactly how he came across on screen – a genuine, loyal friend to all. He will be sorely missed.”