Zeng Jinrong

Ken Tsang (born March 30 1927 – died September 10 2011), known as Sir Tsang, was born in Guangzhou and later moved to Hong Kong. He became famous in the 1960s as a household tips presenter, earning the nickname "Home DIY Doctor." He was also called the "Prince of Caustic Soda" for his frequent recommendations to use caustic soda to clean stains. From the mid‑1980s he appeared in TVB sitcoms and made film cameos, notably playing a forgetful chemistry teacher in the first Fight Back to School.

Early life and career

Tsang began his career as secretary and registrar at Pui To Secondary School in Hong Kong for 36 years. On April 9 1965 he started hosting the educational program Learn and Apply on Rediffusion Television. In the 1980s he joined TVB to present home tips segments on shows such as Enjoy Yourself Tonight, New Women's Style, and City Leisure. He also taught crafts at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Continuing and Professional Education for nearly a decade.

After retiring from teaching in 1986, he continued home tips programs and began acting in TVB sitcoms including City Story, The Family Strikes Back, Three's Company, and Always Love You. He also appeared in many Hong Kong films, including a memorable cameo as the chemistry teacher in Fight Back to School.

In 1995 Tsang left TVB and opened a home goods shop “Sir Tsang’s Specialty Store” in Tin Hau Plaza, Shau Kei Wan. He published several books on household tips and served as home consultant for the K. Wah Group's property management arm from 2000, contributing to their quarterly newsletter in 2005. His last screen appearance was in 2010 as host of the lifestyle program Sir Tsang’s Secrets on PCCW.

From 2002 until 2011 Tsang hosted the weekly RTHK radio show Home Man, answering listeners’ household queries. He presented his final episode on August 6 2011. On August 13 he fell ill at home while preparing to host and was hospitalized. He passed away on September 10 2011, aged 84.

Filmography

Television drama (TVB)

• City Story (1986) as Xu Yun
• The Family Strikes Back (1988) as Zhong Zhi
• Prosperity (1988) as Village Head Chen
• The Misadventure of Zoo (1989)
• Shanghai Affairs (1990)
• Walkie Talkie Dad (1990) as Uncle Ming
• My Family (1990) as Uncle Wing
• Returning to the Bride (1990) as Dr Bai
• Good Against Evil (1990) as Mr Ng
• Three's Company (1990) as Chau Ka‑Wong
• Burning Flame (1990) as Master Ng
• Men Have to Be Tough (1991) as Mr To
• Y2K Group (1991) as Uncle Bo
• The Greed of Man (1992) as Uncle Chat
• Ghost Writer (1992) as Ghost Doctor
• The Headless Ghost (1993) as Mr Guan
• The Legend of the Five (1993) as Pang Kam
• Aqua Heroes (1993) as Mr Yeung
• Homeowner (1993) as Ding Choi
• Always on Your Side (1994) as Mo Yau Chuen

Educational TV (Rediffusion)

• 1965–1979: Learn and Apply

Lifestyle TV (TVB)

• Every Question
• New Women's Style
• City Leisure
• Glamorous Girls (1991)

Other appearances

• UFO (Pink Lady single) (1977)
• Sir Tsang’s Secrets (Now TV, 2010)

Film

• Three Worlds (1988)
• Miracles (1989)
• Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong 2 (1990)
• He Ain't Heavy, He's My Father (1990) as Father of Yan
• Allied (1990)
• Fight Back to School (1991) cameo as Chemistry Teacher
• Fight Back to School II (1991) cameo
• Justice, My Foot! (1992) cameo as Second Uncle
• The Legend of the King of Wolves (1992) cameo as Old Ma
• The God of Gamblers Returns (1992)
• My Favorite Girl (1992) cameo as Dr Ng
• The Banquet (1992) cameo
• Dream Lovers (1993) as Mr Wah
• The Magic Crane (1993) cameo as Wealth God
• Her Fatal Ways 3 (1993) cameo
• The Swordman (1993) as Uncle Chor
• All's Well, Ends Well (1993) cameo as Dean
• Justice, My Foot! 2 (1995) as Dr Chan
• New House Guest (1995)
• Sparrow Heroes (1997) as Uncle Po
• The Lucky Guy (1998) cameo as Uncle Kin
• The Conmen in Vegas (1998) cameo
• 10 Brothers (1998) cameo
• The King of Mahjong (1999) cameo as Mr Ho
• Money Family (2002) cameo as Minibus Driver
• Men Suddenly in Love (2004) cameo as Gary

TV commercials

• 1980s: Window frames
• 1987: Sega video games
• 1988: Laundry detergent
• 1989: Cleaning powder
• 1989: Kitchenware
• 1990s: Industrial lubricants
• 2003: Consumer Council
• 2005: McDonald’s

Radio (RTHK)

• Early 1980s: Rhythm 783
• 2002–2011: Home Man (Weekends)

Publications

• Youth Science Projects Volumes 1–7 (1978)
• Sir Tsang's Clothing Care Tips (1999)
• Sir Tsang’s Home Cleaning Tips (1998)
• Sir Tsang’s Home Decoration Tips (1999)
• Sir Tsang’s Fun Encyclopedia (1995)
• Household Knowledge Handbook Editions (1992–2006)

Personal life

Tsang was married with one son, Kenneth Tsang Jr., who worked as a news anchor for RTHK's headline news.

External links

• Facebook: Sir Tsang’s Tips
• Hong Kong Movie Database #8152
• RTHK “Home Man” page
• Sir Tsang Q&A archives
• YouTube tribute “Prince of Caustic Soda”
• YouTube “Stephen Chow mourns Sir Tsang”