Actor too shy to pursue his love at first sight

TVB actor Dexter Young was too shy to make a move when he first met Shanfia Ng, but he did not hesitate the next time he saw her some years later.

Dexter, the son of Cantonese opera veteran Connie Chan Po-chu, and Shanfia, who works for a cosmetics company, wed in May last year. But they celebrated their marriage on July 29 at the ballroom of the Grand Hyatt hotel with more than 400 guests. Celebrity friends who attended the banquet to wish them well included actors Eric Tsang Chi-wai, Andy Lau Tak-wah and Steven Ma Chun-wai.

Dexter said he almost cried the night before his big day, when he and his mother performed traditional Chinese marriage rites.

'All my childhood memories flashed before my eyes when my mum combed my hair [part of the tradition],' he said. 'I recalled how she put all her heart into raising me. And here I am, starting another chapter of my life. I was very moved.'

Dexter said he was delighted that his mother genuinely loved Shanfia. The couple now live under the same roof as his mother and they have weekly family day gatherings.

Although they attended the same primary school, Dexter and Shanfia did not meet each other until 1992. They were studying at university in Canada and were introduced by Shanfia's brother, who was a good friend of Dexter's.