Chen 'steps down' over sex scandal

Hong Kong rapper and actor Edison Chen has announced that he is to quit showbiz "indefinitely" following his involvement in a sex scandal.

Around 1,300 photographs of the Grudge 2 star in bed with eight Hong Kong starlets sparked a storm of controversy in China when they were leaked onto the internet.

The images are believed to have been copied from his laptop when he sent it to be repaired.

The Canadian-born star admitted at a press conference that most of the pictures had been taken by him.

He said: "These photos were very private and have not been shown to people and were never intended to be shown to anyone. I have failed as a role model. However I wish that this matter will teach everyone a lesson."

He said he would fulfill his current obligations before retiring from the Hong Kong entertainment industry indefinitely to devote himself to charity and community work.

The 27-year-old added: "I've decided to do this to give myself an opportunity to heal myself and to search my soul."

Police have made 10 arrests in connection with the photographs, which have dominated headlines in Hong Kong for several weeks.