Popular Singapore television actor Chew Chor Meng has muscular dystrophy.

The actor with MediaCorp, Channel NewsAsia's parent company, disclosed this at a Christmas event in church on Friday night.

Chew said when he first learnt about his illness, he tried to hide it from his wife and two young daughters - aged two and six - for fear of worrying them.

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease. While not life-threatening, it is incurable and causes progressive muscle weakness.

"It's unfortunate I have this illness. I can still go on with my daily life, but I may age faster than a normal person. In the next seven, 10, 15 years, it may be harder for me to move around," he said.

Chew began his acting career with MediaCorp nearly 20 years ago after he won the bi-annual nationwide talent contest 'Star Search'.

Since then, he has starred in numerous Mandarin dramas and crossed over to star in local English sitcom 'Mr Kiasu'.

In 2000, he was voted Best Actor in the Star Awards for his role in 'Hainan Kopi Tales'.

Chew is also a well-known face in Malaysia and has gone on to host major events locally and abroad. - CNA/de