Fans and celebrities pay tribute to Godfrey Gao in social media posts

Another sudden celebrity death has made headlines this week, just after the death of K-pop star Goo Hara. Taiwan-born Canadian actor Godfrey Gao, 35, collapsed while filming a scene for a variety show this morning (27 November) and died shortly after.

Taiwanese news outlets reported that Gao was filming the Zhejiang Television reality show Chase Me, when he suddenly fell during running and lost consciousness. Paramedics were called to the scene and CPR was applied on Gao for 15 minutes when his heart had stopped beating. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where attempts to revive him failed.

According to Tencent News, an audience member heard Gao shout, "I can't carry on," before collapsing to the ground. Taiwan’s Apple Daily reported that his girlfriend Bella Su Xiang Han and his parents have flown to Zhejiang and his body will be flown back to Taipei tomorrow.

Gao was born in Taipei to a Malaysian mother and a Taiwanese father. He was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, before moving back to Taiwan in 2004 to begin his career in modelling and acting.

Fans and celebrities have been paying tribute to Gao on social media, following the shocking news.

Actress Shu Qi, who acted with Gao in the film Shanghai Fortress, said: "I'm really sad, I don't know what to say; I just feel very sorry, life is impermanent."

Another close friend of Gao's, Chen Shaocheng, said: "I wanted to confirm the news first. Of course, I hope it wasn't true. I've been waiting for any other news."

Gao was supposed to be the best man for Taiwan basketball star James Mao’s wedding on Friday (29 November).

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“In the early hours of Nov. 27, our beloved Godfrey collapsed while filming on set. Unfortunately following three hours of medical rescue efforts, he left us. We are very shocked and saddened and even until now find it impossible to accept,” a statement from his management company Jetstar read.