TV host Li Yong, one of China's most popular personalities, is rumored to be planning his exit from longtime employer China Central Television (CCTV), according to China's major website sohu.com. The news forced the producers of Li's show Lucky 52 to state that the star was in preparation for the following day's show, and that everything was in perfect order. Li has hosted the show since 1998.

But on his blog, entertainment critic Tan Fei said he had "called two former CCTV big shots and both of them said it was true". Huashang Morning Post also quoted a source stating the concerned parties had denied the story because unexpected media coverage would upset their plans.

Rumors of Li Yong's resignation have been brewing for months. Reports said Li suffered from depression after the infamous "dark three minutes" during CCTV's Spring Festival gala when the six hosts almost came to loggerheads.

(China Daily 09/27/2007 page3)