SINGAPORE'S iconic funnyman Gurmit Singh, best known as contractor Phua Chu Kang, actually began his career as a dancer instead of a comedian.
Gurmit, 59, revealed this at a recent interview to mark his coming stand-up comedy show, 'Phua Chu Kang: The Greatest Show Man', at The Ascott Hotel in Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur.
"Back in my school days, I was more active in sports, especially athletics, than in the performing arts.
"Nevertheless, I did join my school's dance troupe, and I also dabbled in emceeing during school concerts," he said.
"Even when I joined National Service, I danced, too."
NATIONAL SERVICE
After leaving National Service, Gurmit danced in troupes, and after one live performance, Singapore's television company, Mediacorp, spotted him.
"I performed in their variety show 'Live on 5', and it was not long after that I starred in my very own sitcom 'Gurmit's World'.
"One character I played in 1995, a year after the show debuted, was a zany contractor named Phua Chu Kang, and the rest is history," said Gurmit, who is married with three children.
It may have been 14 years since Phua Chu Kang's popular situational comedy last aired on Singapore television, but the republic has adopted him as its "comedy ambassador" of sorts.
"Since his show ended, Chu Kang has stayed relevant as a Singaporean icon, as he is the representative of the well-meaning everyman in Singapore.
"In fact, he has been successfully 'employed' by the government over the years to appear in public service announcements (PSAs), especially about the prevention of Covid-19," said Gurmit, who also became a hit with Malaysians.
SELFIES
Gurmit has promised to play Chu Kang as long as he is able-bodied.
"Many Malaysians love Chu Kang, too, and I learnt this from my occasional visits to Kuala Lumpur and Penang, where I meet up with old friends," said Gurmit.
At the Malaysian Immigration checkpoint in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Gurmit was asked by officers if he was Chu Kang, and when he replied in the positive, they had some selfies with him.
"This fame as Chu Kang means a loss of privacy for me, but I am okay with it.
"It is part of the job of being an actor," he said.
SENTUL
Gurmit is looking forward to 'The Greatest Show Man', and the 90-minute stand-up comedy event will take place at 8pm on Oct 24 and 25 at the HGH Convention Centre in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.
Presented by Popcorn Studio Sdn Bhd, it will see Gurmit share some of his latest jokes and funny stories with Malaysian fans.
His guest stars for the evening are Malaysian stand-up comedian Rizal Van Geyzel and singer-songwriter Russell Curtis.
EFFORTLESS
Popcorn Studio head Erik Ong said fans of Chu Kang will be entertained over two nights by Gurmit's extraordinary talent.
"The plot and performance will surely be worthwhile for the audience.
"Interactive segments will occur, and the audience will get involved, too!"
SONG
Russell, who can also do comedy, said he and his seven-piece band will mesmerise fans with his original compositions in folk and pop.
"On both nights, I will share a brand new song that I specially wrote and composed with Gurmit in mind. He and Rizal will join me in singing it for the first time."
CANCEL
Rizal said he was representing Malaysia and sharing with comedy lovers his latest, laugh-out-loud jokes.
"Among others, I'll be talking about cancel culture, as I have been cancelled before in the past.
"I see it as a blessing in disguise of sorts, as more people have come to see me in action since that unfortunate moment," he said, adding that he was cancelled for a particular show in Taman Tun Dr Ismail two years ago.
Tickets are priced from RM100 and can be obtained at http://www.ticket2u.com.my/pck.