Stephen Chow (left) and Ng Man Tat (right) have collaborated in many comedy classics. Photos: Filepic
One of the hardest things about losing someone is missing the chance to tell them how much they mean to you.
This is something Hong Kong actor and filmmaker Stephen Chow can attest to.
A few days ago, Chow had a Q&A session with fans on Instagram in celebration of hitting one million followers on the platform.
But when one netizen asked the 60-year-old if he had anything to say to late Hong Kong actor Ng Man Tat, Chow responded: "I love you. I regret never telling him that in person (before he passed away)."
Ng died of liver cancer at age 70 on Feb 27, 2021.
He worked opposite Chow in multiple comedy classics such as Fight Back To School (1991), Justice, My Foot! (1992) and Hail The Judge (1994), but had not collaborated together since Shaolin Soccer in 2001.
The pair was rumoured to have fallen out years ago after Chow allegedly took Ng's leading role in Kung Fu Hustle (2004) for himself, though Ng later denied claims of a fallout and said they had simply drifted apart.
Stephen Chow (left) and Ng Man Tat (right) in the 2001 movie, 'Shaolin Soccer'. Photo: Handout
Ng also mentioned in a past interview that Chow once invited him to star in the 2016 fantasy movie, The Mermaid. However, he declined the offer due to poor health.
According to reports, Chow did not visit his old friend when the latter was in hospital undergoing treatment.
However, he would frequently ask about Ng's health condition through mutual friend, actor Tin Kai Man.
"His illness came so quickly, and he was gone too early. He's been my best friend for many years. I still can't accept this," he told Hong Kong media then.
The CJ7 star also turned up at Ng's wake on March 7, 2021 to pay his respects.
