Hairy Biker injured in accident

Simon King was filming in Newcastle when the accident happened

Filming of a BBC Christmas show featuring the Hairy Bikers was halted after one of the two roving chefs was injured in an accident on Tyneside.

Simon King, from Newcastle, was thrown off his bike on Thursday as he rode through the city during rush hour followed by his TV partner Dave Myers.

Mr King, 42, was taken to Newcastle General Hospital for treatment to a knee injury and is recovering at home.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said no-one else was hurt in the incident.

Transmission date

Gill Tierney, executive producer of BBC Programmes, said: "Filming will be rescheduled.

"We don't know when he will be ready to work again. When he has recovered we will start filming again. We hope to do that as soon as possible in a few days or so.

"We don't expect this to affect the transmission date, though the channel reserves the right to change its broadcast schedule."

The two chefs were heading for a location shoot for a festive series inspired by the Twelve Days of Christmas song.

The programme was due to go out some time in early December.

A Northumbria force spokesman said: "Police were called on Thursday morning to a report that a motorcyclist had come off his bike at Salter's Lane, Gosforth.

"The motorcyclist was riding a red Ducati motorcycle and was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with what have been described as minor leg injuries."