According to The Starin an interview with Hk01Tao, who has left TVB twice—first in 1997 and again in 2009—revealed that he declined an invitation from a senior executive at the broadcaster to make a comeback.

“I know the station too well—there’s no special care for people of my age or generation,” Tao shared, commenting on TVB’s shift towards offering more opportunities to younger talent.

“I think that’s how it should be. What role would they even give me?” he added. “At this stage, we should be passing the torch, not competing for the spotlight. This is also why I feel TVB isn’t suitable for me.”

Now 62, Tao began his acting career in the 1980s with TVB, where he gained popularity as the “Housewife Killer” due to his immense appeal among housewives, who made up a significant portion of television audiences in Hong Kong. This solidified his position as a top-tier TVB actor.

In 1997, Tao moved to rival broadcaster ATV after a contract dispute with TVB. His 1999 ATV series “Flaming Brothers” went on to outshine the competing TVB show at the time, marking a milestone for ATV.

Tao returned to TVB in 2004, where he continued to star in numerous television series. However, issues with his contract once again led him to leave the broadcaster in 2009.

Before Tao, several actors, including Benjamin Yuen and Henry Lo, had spoken out about declining opportunities at TVB, which impacted their incomes.