Hong Kong actress Gigi Lai Chi announced her retirement from showbiz at the premiere of her latest release of "The Gem of Life". The TVB production will be Gigi's last performance on screen.

Hong Kong actress Gigi Lai Chi in chic dress attends the promotional event for her TVB production 'The Gem of Life', October 20, 2008, Hong Kong. Gigi announced her retirement from showbiz to concentrate on her family and her brother's business at the event. [Xinhuanet/TUNGSTAR]

Gigi Lai will concentrate on helping to look after her brother's business in the future. Gigi says she first considered the idea of retiring two years ago. She claims she made up her mind following a car accident involving her brother last year.

After more than twenty years of hard work in the entertainment industry, Gigi says she would like to take some time out to pursue her own interests and spend more time with her family.

As a versatile singer and actor, Gigi released seven albums during the 90s and acted in many dramas receiving numerous credits. Gigi has since become very popular with fans from Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and many other countries.

On Monday she confirmed during an interview on TVB's entertainment magazine program 'Scoop' that she would no longer shoot commercials, attend award ceremonies or release any albums or films. She claimed her interview on 'Scoop' would be her last formal appearance.

When asked if she would marry soon, Gigi replied "not now" but that she will consider it later.

Gigi has been filming non-stop on the TVB drama 'The Gem of Life' this year. She tearfully thanked the production team while attending the event and said that this TV drama will be her most memorable work and that she would always be a TVB person.

The 80-episode drama series premiered Monday in Hong Kong and will run until February 2009.

(CRI October 21, 2008)