SHE may have cemented her status as the new generation "big sister" at TVB, but Charmaine Sheh would willingly give up everything to mind children and enjoy family life.

Wong Hei is making a comeback

HE is not your usual dashing lead actor. In fact, he is known for his characteristic single eyelids and scruffy looks. Even then, Wong Hei was one of TVB's popular actors in the 1990s, capturing hearts with his frequent portrayals of brave, honest and upright CID officers, firemen and customs officers. However, his star has fallen somewhat, with less screen appearances in recent years. He told The New Paper: "My contract is for one drama serial per year. The audience might not have seen me much because sometimes, one show might be at the start of the year and my next show could be at the end of the next year." In addition, he was in Shanghai acting for a year in 2004. But TVB fans will be seeing more of him when his new show Father And Sons airs in Singapore later this year. He has also just finished filming the TVB blockbuster The Gem Of Life and will be working on Best Selling Secrets and Burning FlameII next. In fact, word had it that his comeback was thanks to him being one of TVB general manager Stephen Chan Chi Wan's "pets". But Wong Hei refuted the reports, saying: "He's just a boss. He's good to everyone and I think everyone's grateful to him. I've known him for 16 years, even before we joined TVB. But I wouldn't dare say we're old buddies." Wong Hei, 40, started out as a deejay at Commercial Radio in 1992 and joined the station in 1996. He became a talking point when he launched an "au naturel" pictorial book in 2000 that showed off his buff body. In 2001, he turned to Buddhism which toned down his infamously short fuse. Before, he was known for often falling out with his co-stars.

"I used to want to have three children... If I have children, I will devote a lot of my time to them, 365 days a year. So I would quit my job for that," she told The New Paper.

However, the actress said there's no need for such drastic measures yet as she's still single.

"My resolution last year (of finding a boyfriend) is up in smoke. I'll just have to continue with it (the resolution) this year. Hopefully, I can have the best of both worlds, to have both romance and a smooth career," she added with a chuckle.

Charmaine was probably inspired by fellow actress Ada Choi after attending the latter's recent wedding in China.

"I was so touched (by their love), I cried a few times," she said.

Charmaine, 32, joined TVB after coming in third in the Miss Hong Kong pageant in 1997.

Her early years at the station were plagued by criticisms of her bad acting and squeaky voice.

But she hit the big time after appearing in popular drama serials such as Country Spirit, Perish In The Name Of Love, War And Beauty and most recently, Dance Of Passion and The Drive Of Life.

Maiden's Vow, in which she juggled four characters over different generations, sealed her position as one of TVB's leading actresses after she won the Best Actress and My Favourite Female TV Character awards in 2006.

But unlucky-in-love Charmaine is still searching for Mr Right, especially after reportedly breaking up with actor Benny Chan in 2006 as she could not stand his philandering ways.

LINKED TO MARRIED MEN

The Hong Kong paparazzi has since linked her with her other co-stars such as Joe Ma and Michael Miu, who are both married.

When she received a bouquet of 99 roses on her birthday last year and it was signed off from "lo sam" (old third in Cantonese), the media speculated that the sender was Michael as he was known as "sam gor" (thirdbrother).

She laughed the reports off and said "they were never true", adding that the flowers were from a friend who didn't know what to give her and so sent a bouquet.

Support from friends and family is what Charmaine counts on in the meantime.

"Naturally, everyone hopes to have a companion, someone to share their joy and worries. For now, my friends and family will have to do the job."