Taiwanese Host Zhang Shanwei, Who Faded Out Of Showbiz After Illness Left Him Paralysed In 2013, Turns 47

In 2013, Taiwanese actor-host Zhang Shanwei, who's best known for hosting entertainment program ShowBiz, was forced to leave the spotlight after a viral spinal infection left him paralysed. 

At the time of his diagnosis, Shanwei wrote on Facebook that he's still "working hard" on getting better, urging everyone to "wait for [him] to stand up again".

Nine years on, his fans still haven't forgotten about him.

On his 47th birthday on Aug 7, fans flocked to Shanwei's Facebook to say how much they miss him.

Back in 2013, Shanwei was diagnosed with a viral spinal infection that caused him to feel nauseous and giddy and affected his ability to move. He was hospitalised on Nov 16 that year.

Two days after, Shanwei took to Facebook to announce that he was going for surgery. He also said he hoped to "still have the opportunity to bring laughter to [his] viewers in future."

While the surgery was said to be successful, Shanwei was also left bedridden. He eventually had to bow out of showbiz and has been largely uncontactable ever since.

According to his assistant, Ah Wei, who occasionally provides updates about Shanwei, the host is "now wheelchair-bound but is able to move his feet and arms." 

However, Shanwei, whom Ah Wei said has been "pushing on with his willpower", still needs to be assisted when going to the toilet.

Ah Wei also revealed that "his updates about Shanwei are pretty much the same as last year" as he hasn't been in contact with the latter recently.

"After all his family's really low-profile. Every time there's news, the people around him will get questioned again, so I'm not in the position to say much either," explained Ah Wei.

On his 47th birthday earlier this week, fans of Shanwei left comments on his last post to send their blessings. 

"We really miss you. Those kids [who watched you] are all grown up now," wrote one netizen. 

Taiwanese actor Wu Zheng Di, who played Shanwei's younger self in 2010 Hakka drama Yuan, also commented, "Miss you, hope you've been fine! We're doing great too, don't worry."

Meanwhile, Taiwanese celeb Lun-Yuan Lin (aka Xiang Jiao Gege) wrote: "I was just thinking about you."

Photos: sinchew