Four Kings of Canto-pop agree to pay tribute to Leslie Cheung

The suicide of superstar Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing and the atypical pneumonia outbreak have meant a last-minute frenzy of changes for organisers of tomorrow's Hong Kong Film Awards.

Awards chairman Cheung Tung-joe said the 'Four Kings' of Canto-pop - Jacky Cheung Hok-yau, Andy Lau Tak-wah, Leon Lai Ming and Aaron Kwok Fu-shing - had agreed to perform a tribute to Leslie Cheung, who jumped to his death from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Tuesday. The tribute is expected to include clips from his movies and a medley of his musical hits, including the theme song from John Woo's A Better Tomorrow, the 1986 film which catapulted Cheung to fame.

'We have extended the invitation to all four singers and they have given us a verbal confirmation that they will do it. However, there are no guarantees. If they are too upset or emotional to perform, then, of course, we will understand,'' said Cheung Tung-joe. 'Leslie was a part of the industry and the tribute is our mark of respect. Other aspects of the awards will proceed as normal. This is a professional industry awards ceremony.'

Cheung's funeral will take place at 11am on Tuesday at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point. His family has also set aside 6pm to 8pm on Monday for fans to pay their respects.

Cheung is one of the nominees for the best actor award for his performance as a troubled psychiatrist in Lo Chi-leung's Inner Senses.

The atypical pneumonia outbreak has also forced organisers to change their plans for the night. The red carpet leading into the ceremony at the Cultural Centre has been scrapped in favour of a so-called 'walkway of compassion', dedicated to medical staff.