Singapore actor-host Collin Chee has issued an apology following speculation that he shared private information about the late Hong Kong actor Benz Hui’s funeral with the press.
Hui, 76, passed away on Oct 28 due to multiple organ failure caused by cancer. A memorial service was held on Nov 17, followed by his funeral the next day. The veteran actor was widely beloved for his work in Hong Kong television and cinema, as well as his close ties to Singapore’s entertainment scene.
Chee, who previously worked with Hui’s wife Angeli Lung at Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS) — the predecessor of Mediacorp — had spoken to local media outlets Lianhe Zaobao and Shin Min Daily News. In his interviews, he shared that he had attended Hui’s funeral and revealed certain aspects of the service, including that TVB had prepared a tribute video of Hui’s iconic roles and that many celebrities were present.
On Dec 6, Hui’s daughter, Charmaine, posted a heartfelt message on social media expressing gratitude to “family, dear friends and TVB for assisting us in a solemn farewell for my dad.”
Read more: The Reliable Presence: Hong Kong’s ‘King of Supporting Actors’ Benz Hui Dies at 76
She went on to thank “most guests who respected the private closed door ceremony – with no recording, no filming, and no sharing of any kind”, which, she added, “showed genuine love and respect you had for us.”
However, Charmaine also voiced that she felt “immense disappointment” toward an “individual from Singapore” who appeared to have gone against the family’s privacy wishes. She ended her post with a tender farewell: “Rest peacefully, Daddy. We miss you and you are deeply loved – now and always.”
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While Charmaine did not directly name anyone, Hong Kong media later speculated that Chee was the person referenced, given his interviews with Singapore outlets.
According to a Facebook post, Benz’s Singaporean wife Angeli Lung reportedly said, “We were very good to him, how could he leak details of the memorial service? I’m so deeply hurt by him and I’m truly heartbroken.”
“The funeral director had already said before the wake that filming was not allowed and the contents of the funeral cannot be revealed. How could he not know?”
“I never expected Collin to actually disclose the contents of the memorial service. How could he be so thoughtless?”
Daughter Charmaine also reportedly added, “We are very unhappy. What he did lacked basic respect to my father and also implicated my elder brother. My brother isn’t in the public eye. Furthermore, an eulogy is a private expression of the relationship and feelings between family members and the deceased. How could such a thing be publicly reported?”
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Lung continued, “Revealing someone’s private matters behind their back is 100 per cent wrong.”
She added that while other celebrities had spoken to the media about Benz’s death, they limited the information to their friendship and work relationship. Oonly Collin gave “particularly in-depth coverage.” she said.
When contacted by 8world, Chee apologised and clarified that he merely wanted to express that Hui was a “good person” and that he did not intend to offend or hurt anyone.
He also shared that he had sent a message to the Hui family to apologise personally.
Hui, who relocated to Singapore in his later years, was a cherished figure across both Hong Kong and Singapore’s entertainment industries — remembered not just for his acting legacy, but also for his warmth and humility.
