'Mid-life crisis' leaves showbiz couple's troubled 19-year relationship on the rocks

Mid-life crisis. That's talkshow host Joe Nieh's excuse for his behaviour about a week ago when the 44-year-old long-time boyfriend of Canto-pop sweetheart Vivian Chow Wai-man was photographed French-kissing a pretty young student in Lan Kwai Fong.

Debate has raged among Chow's fans since the kiss became public - would Chow, whose girl-next-door image has conquered many a male heart, again forgive Nieh, who has been photographed in intimate action with other women previously, or finally give him the heave-ho. Just as fans were beginning to think the golden couple would survive, they released separate statements at 6pm yesterday declaring the end of their 19-year relationship.

In his statement Nieh, son of renowned author Nieh Kuang, first apologised for the mistakes he had made and thanked Chow for accommodating his transgressions once again. But he said that after thinking about the incident over and over, 'I realised this was not a technical mistake ... I'm obviously experiencing a mid-life crisis'. Nieh, who said he would not rule out the possibility of seeking professional help for his behaviour, continued: 'I understand that I am no longer qualified to be Vivian's boyfriend ... To put the public at ease and to demonstrate my regret and my will to take up the responsibility, I decided to break up [with Chow] over my mistake. But I believe that the media and fans of Vivian will welcome my painful decision.' It was an 'accountability break-up' and he had already moved out of their Happy Valley home, but he would remain friends with Chow.

In her statement, Chow, 41, was magnanimous and unwilling to put any blame on Nieh. 'I will never regret my love for Joe. I will cherish this forever and I have no regrets in my life. I will live my life bravely just like I always do.'