Edison Chen, the central figure in the naughty photos scandal that has rocked Hong Kong showbiz, has had another job axed, Sing Tao Daily, a Hong Kong newspaper, reported today.

Edison was signed as one of the faces of EPS, Hong Kong’s local version of Visa or MasterCard, in their latest advertising campaign. However, recently, billboards featuring Edison were removed from prominent positions in Causeway Bay, Mong Kok and Hong Kong Station, reported Sing Tao Daily.

The newspaper also reported that Edison’s part in EPS’s TV commercial had been cut.

The EPS campaign is also fronted by Charlene Choi, Jan Lamb, and Wyman Wong.

Although there were reports that Edison had his advertisements for Manhattan Titanium, a credit card, pulled as a result of the naughty picture scandal, a spokesperson for the company later said that the campaign was only ever scheduled for a month and had been ended as planned and not because of recent events. That’s exactly what Disney said when they cancelled a Gillian Chung recently.

Earlier this month, Edison was cut from an upcoming movie. Columbia Pictures announced that its film Jump, a joint production with Stephen Chow’s company Star Overseas, which was due to be released on May 1, has been delayed until October 1. The Hong Kong-made film was to star Edison alongside Kitty Zhang. The movie studios hope that the delay will allow people to forget the film was ever associated with Edison. The upcoming Batman still has Edison in the film however.

Sing Tao Daily estimated that the scandal could cost Edison, who was seen as one of the coolest entertainers in Hong Kong showbiz, HK$10m a year in work and endorsements.

The newspaper quoted lawyers who said that companies could easily end endorsement contracts, because these always have clauses requiring a star to maintain a certain image. The legal sources added that, as well as not paying up fees, companies could sue a star for damages, but this is unlikely, and disputes are usually settled out of court.

In the Honk Kong, and Chinese, entertainment business image is everything. Click here to read more.

Edison Chen has been hiding out in America to avoid facing the firestorm brewing in Hong Kong, and all of Asia, over a naughty picture scandal that involves Edison and many female celebrities. It’s like the Vanessa Hudgens, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, scandals time ten. Here’s more:

Edison Chen will travel back to Hong Kong via Macau to avoid a media scrutiny at the Hong Kong airport, reported The Sun, a Hong Kong newspaper, citing rumours. The newspaper said that reporters, photographers and cameramen are gathering at Macau airport causing a nuisance to staff.

Sing Tao Daily, a Hong Kong newspaper, had rumoured that Edison left Hong Kong on January 31 in a car headed for Zhuhai, China, where he crossed the border to Macau to catch a private jet to the United States.

His return journey could be exactly the reverse.

Almost all Hong Kong daily newspapers are reporting that Edison will be back on Sunday. He is expected to hold a press conference after making a witness statement at Hong Kong police HQ about someone stealing naughty photos from his computer.

Some Hong Kong newspapers had reported that Edison had fled the city in shame, when he left Hong Kong after naughty photos, purportedly of him and female celebrities including Gillian Chung, Bobo Chan, and Cecilia Cheung, were allegedly stolen from his Apple PowerBook when it went in for repair, and started leaking onto the internet more than two weeks ago.

The star released a video message on 4 January to apologize for the fallout, but did not comment on whether or not the photos originated from him. Instead he said his lawyers advised him to withold comment for now.

Anthony Wong, Edison’s godfather, said a few days ago that Edison will return to Hong Kong soon to help the police catch the "crazy man" who is leaking the photos. He said that Edison did not run away and had, long before the scandal started, planned to return to Canada to visit family for Chinese New Year, and then to go to America to visit girlfriend Vincy Yeung who is reportedly in Boston.

Meanwhile, the first person arrested in connection with the photos, 29-year-old Chung Yik Tin, was freed today. The charges against him were dropped, following the Obscene Articles Tribunal’s reclassification of the photos from "obscene" to "indecent". He had been in custody since January 30.

None of the celebrities purported to appear in the photos have been accused by police of any wrongdoing.

Instead, the police investigation has focused on tracking down people who have leaked or spread the images for breaking obscenity laws. Nine people have been arrested so far. All have been freed or bailed.

A protest march took place in Hong Kong on Sunday to demonstrate against the police action. Police have been widely criticized, both in mainstream media and internet discussion boards, for what is perceived as the special treatment because this case involves celebrities, the invasion of privacy of internet users and the hunt for a scapegoat that has seen several arrests but no end to the constant leak of photos.

Despite the police crackdown, more photos were leaked onto the web on the weekend and yesterday.

You can see all the Edison Chen naughty picture scandal photos if you click here.

Nicholas Tse was photographed on 2-9 by the Hongkong media that he has taken off his wedding ring, which was always on his left hand in 2007, because of the naughty picture scandal involving his wife, Cecilia Cheung and lover at the time Edison Chen.

According to many recent reports, Nicholas had a fierce argument with Cecilia after he returned to home last week from Nanjing, mainland China. It was speculated that he would divorce Cecilia. If so, their little son, Lucas, would be tended by his grandmother Deborah Lee.

As Cecilia Cheung loves husband Nicholas Tse, and toddler son Lucas very much, we are very afraid that she possibly can not endure such a blow, and do something very tragic after she loses two beloved people in her life at the same time.

Jaynestars says Cecilia Cheung was involved in a relationship with Edison Chen for 3 Years before the naughty picture scandal.

Based on the memorabilia appearing in the background of the photos, reporters speculate that Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, had an affair with Edison Chen when she was in her turbulent stage with Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, circa 2004 to 2005. Cecilia and Edison may have been involved for approximately 3 years.

In past interviews (prior to the release of the naughty photos), Cecilia recounted that she met Edison when she was only 18 years old. The pair filmed a commercial ad together. At the time Edison had not officially entered the entertainment industry yet.

Also at that time, Cecilia insisted she was not dating Edison. She said at the time, "We will continue to be good friends, really good friends going forward. No matter what happens, I will continue to speak out for him." However, given the current naughty photo scandal, Cecilia’s past outburst was a bit ironic.

In February 2004, Cecilia and Nicholas filmed the movie, "The Promise" together and mended their relationship. In March of the same year, the paparazzi photographed the pair together during the filming. However, at the time, Cecilia was also allegedly involved in a relationship with Edison Chen and Jordan Chan Siu Chun.

In 2005, Cecilia dated a Caucasian man. At the same time, there were rumors that she may have gotten back together with Nicholas Tse. In May 2005, Nicholas and Cecilia promoted "The Promise" in Cannes and Director Chen Kaige said the pair had "an intimate relationship."

While promoting "The Promise" in Taiwan the same year, Cecilia did not omit the likelihood of reuniting with Nicholas Tse. However on May 20, 2005, Cecilia returned to Hong Kong and attended Edison Chen’s apparel store’s one year anniversary celebration. Cecilia and Edison appeared to be quite intimate with each other at the event.

Based on these events, reporters speculate that Cecilia was involved with Edison amidst break-ups and reunifications with Nicholas Tse.

On 2-12 Nicolas Tse and Cecilia Cheung reportedly signed a separation agreement. It was said that Nicolas Tse was not angry with the naughty pictures of Cecilia Cheung with Edison Chen, but the fact that Cecilia cheated on him with Edison Chen while she was also dating Nicholas was too much for him to deal with.

The couple married in September 2006, and even though the couple married in the Philippines, the union and any divorce can be dealt with by Hong Kong jurisdiction because at least one of the couple is a Hong Kong citizen. Legal sources say after one year of separation the couple can file for divorce without citing any particular reason. Last year, in an interview with Squat, Nicholas said his marriage to Cecilia was “for life”.

Update 2-19: Nicholas Tse Discovers Cecilia Cheung Cheated During Marriage

Update 2-19: Nicolas Tse Demands Paternity Test for Lucas

Click here to read more about it.

Gillian Chung, who admitted and apologized for her role in the Edison Chen naughty photo scandal, returned to work at the EEG recording studios yesterday.

A crowd of reporters awaited her appearance and filled up the narrow corridor leading up to the studio. Gillian arrived flanked by her two assistants and put on a brave smile as they pushed through the media crowd, which extended the short journey into a few minutes, and caused some damage to the decorations in the hallway.

Gillian did not say anything to the press during her appearance, and ignored the very direct questions about her intimate relationship with Edison Chen.

This was Gillian’s second appearance after the scandal broke over two weeks ago. She made a short address to the press during a fan event yesterday where she also apologized to fans.

If you haven’t heard already, the Edison Chen naughty picture scandal in Hong Kong is even bigger than Britney Spears. Edison Chen took his laptop in for repair, but didn’t bother to first remove intimate pictures he took of himself and his former girlfriends. Even Maggie Q, one of Edison’s former girlfriends, has been implicated. According to Chinese culture a celebrity involved in such scandals may have their career ruined. Even Jackie Chan is afraid to discuss this scandal. A lot of people are blaming Edison, but all the girls were willing participants, and they put on a good show for his camera, so they aren’t so innocent. It is because of this scandal that Hollywood Grind news has been so slow. We have the 1,300 pictures that were on Edison’s laptop of him, and all his celebrity girlfriends, and after putting them up our site was crushed by the traffic, so we took them down temporarily and left a few dozen pictures for you to see, but they will all be back up later this week. Click here to find out the latest on this HUGE scandal.