HONG KONG: Veteran actor Damian Lau has addressed concerns over his health after being spotted using a walking stick during a recent trip to the cinema.
The sighting prompted speculation online that the 76-year-old may have suffered a stroke, with some fans pointing to apparent stiffness in his right hand.
Concerns had already been raised in August when he was reportedly seen struggling to walk unaided at an event in Shenzhen, China.
In a statement posted on Weibo on Oct 12, the Luk Siu Fung (1976) star explained that he had chosen not to speak publicly about his illness to avoid unnecessary worry or negative assumptions.
"I hope everyone will not worry excessively because of online discussions. I also hope you can have a little faith in me, as I am capable of dealing with this," he wrote.
Lau also reflected on the past few years, describing them as some of the most carefree and happiest times of his life.
Acknowledging that birth, ageing, illness and death are part of life, he said one's attitude plays a crucial role when facing difficult times.
He added that people should avoid constantly comparing themselves with others or dwelling on what they lack, as such negative thoughts only make life harder.
"If we face these challenges with a positive and optimistic attitude, perhaps we can discover a different meaning to life," he wrote.
This is not the first time Lau has faced stroke rumours. In 2020, similar reports surfaced after he was photographed using a walking stick.
But a close friend later set the record straight, explaining that the actor had injured himself in a fall while rehearsing for a musical.
Lau was one of TVB's biggest stars in the early 1980s, famously co-starring alongside Liza Wang and Liu Wai Hung in the hit drama Yesterday's Glitter.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd