Family, friends remember star's bravery and passion

'He went peacefully but his strong and courageous spirit, as well as his burning passion for life, will forever stay in our hearts.'

So said actress Michelle Yim, long-time girlfriend of soccer player turned actor Wan Chi-keung, yesterday as she paid tribute to him following his death on Tuesday at the age of 53 from organ failure related to his treatment for cancer.

She said close friends would hold a memorial service for the man known in his day as Asia's best centre forward.

'On behalf of Wan Lo, I thank all the friends who cared about him; thank heaven for giving Wan Lo such a wonderful life. His selfless love for his family and his optimistic personality brought enormous happiness to people around him. We will miss him forever,' said Yim, using Wan's nickname.

Struggling to put on a brave face behind oversized sunglasses, Yim, 54, who was with Wan for 26 years, added: 'Heaven always has the best arrangements for good people.'

The actress also thanked the medical staff who treated Wan. He was diagnosed with a nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a form of throat cancer, in 1992. He recovered a year later, but the radiotherapy damaged other, healthy tissues.

The award-winning actress' voice shook as she spoke at the Kowloon Tsai Home Owners Association in Kowloon Tong. Despite her grief she refused to take time off work and resumed shooting a TVB series - called, ironically, Women Hurt The Most - after the media briefing.