Fans mark Concubine star's death

Cheung returned to his native Hong Kong for the 1997 handover

Fans of actor and singer Leslie Cheung have travelled to Hong Kong to attend a memorial service to commemorate the anniversary of his death.

Cheung died after falling from the 24th floor of a luxury hotel in Hong Kong on 1 April, 2003. He was 46 years old.

The actor, best known for his portrayal of a gay opera singer in the Oscar-nominated film Farewell My Concubine, is believed to have committed suicide.

All 800 tickets for the service at the Mandarin Oriental hotel have sold out.

Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong is also planning to mark the occasion with a candlelit exhibition of Cheung's waxwork image.

Gay roles

The 46-year-old star rose to fame as a Canto singer, after studying at Leeds University in the UK.

His acting career took off in 1986 when he starred opposite Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-Fat in John Woo's gangster movie A Better Tomorrow.

Cheung stood out in the Asian film world for his willingness to play openly gay characters.

His role in Farewell My Concubine garnered him worldwide attention when it won the Cannes' Palme D'Or in 1993.

Those attending Monday's memorial service include fans from China, Korea, Japan and Canada, where Cheung emigrated in 1992 before returning to Hong Kong for the 1997 handover.