Cheng announces he will go off the air for several months because he feels suffocated by political repression. His stand-in host, Allen Lee Peng-fei, quits within days to avoid political intimidation.

June 22

The radio station calls Cheng, who is on holiday in Las Vegas, saying it intends to end his contract prematurely.

June 25

Cheng receives a letter officially confirming the early end to his contract.

Mid-July Cheng contacts Commercial Radio director Winnie Yu on the matter and returns to Hong Kong.

July 27

Cheng meets Ms Yu and they agree not to publicise the termination until the deal is finalised, despite repeated leaks about it.

July 28

Ms Yu goes on air and makes the announcement, after more than 100 public figures place a newspaper advertisement demanding that the station make a clarification regarding rumours. Cheng meets the media, confirms the news and has an emotional exchange with Ms Yu on an evening talk show.

Yesterday Cheng appears on the talk show for the last time.