Chu Keliang's family distraught over his passing

Taiwanese entertainer Chu Keliang passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday at 5.08 am, after a three-year battle with cancer.

Later that day, at 7.10 am, the 70-year-old’s body was transferred to the Longhua hall in Banqiao District, where his funeral is being held. The veteran performer’s eldest son, Hsieh Shunfu, older daughter, Taiwanese singer-actress Jeannie Hsieh and second daughter Hsieh Jinjin (also known as Twinkling Ting), as well as his fourth wife, Ye Ruimei were present as the body was transferred to the hall.

His youngest daughter Jinjin rushed back from her concert in Indonesia once she got the news that her father was doing poorly, but didn’t manage to see Keliang for the last time before he passed away. The singer was visibly distraught and sobbed as she walked into the hall, and immediately knelt down once she reached the doorway.

Two hours later, Shunfu stepped out for a short interview with the media, where he apologised for refusing visits from outsiders when his dad was in the hospital. “My father told us before he passed away that he only wanted everyone to see and remember the side of him that was handsome and happy, not his sickly self,” he said.

The first visitor at the funeral was the entertainer’s good friend, Taiwanese singer Yu Tien, who said emotionally, “Even though he earned so much, he still [ended up] like this. I feel very regretful for him. He’s worked hard in this lifetime, I hope that he can experience better days up in heaven! Don’t gamble any more!”

A while later, he emerged from the hall in tears, having seen his good friend for the last time through the white cloth that covered Keliang’s body. “Such a small body had to withstand so much suffering. [I] don’t know how his wife and family managed to walk her, it must have been very painful for them,” he commented.

Later at night, Taiwanese director Yeh Tienlun arrived to pay his respects. He declared that “no one can replace Chu Keliang [in the entertainment scene].”

Image on the left: The shirt Chu Keliang gave Amber Kuo for her birthday

Taiwanese singer-actress Amber Kuo also turned up at night together with the production crew of comedy film, David Loman, which she starred in alongside Keliang and Taiwanese actor Tony Yang.

Keliang had always regarded Amber as his goddaughter, and the duo share a very close relationship. The 31-year-old was seen exiting the hall in tears, and left without speaking to the media waiting outside. Earlier, she had posted a picture of a shirt that Keliang had sent her as a birthday gift, together with a short tribute honouring him.

Keliang was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2014, and his health was reported to have taken a turn for the worse earlier this month as the cancer cells spread to other parts of his body, including his liver, which caused his body to lose its ability to remove toxins from itself. His cause of death is reported to have been complications due to liver failure, along with multiple organ failure after the cancer cells further spread to his abdominal cavity and lungs.

Photos: PBE Media, TPG/CLICKPHOTOS

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