They turned up for their favourite funny lass

To many of the 1,000-plus fans who thronged Raffles City Shopping Centre on Friday evening to catch a glimpse of Taiwanese star Dee Hsu, she wasn't just another host or comedienne.

The 37-year-old - whose nickname is Xiao S and is best known for her sharp tongue and wit on popular TV talk show Mr Con & Ms Csi - was a cornerstone of their memories, some told The New Paper on Sunday.

The show wrapped in January after a successful 12-year run.

Mr Leslie Zhang, a 22-year-old hospitality undergraduate at East Asia Institute of Management, was the earliest to arrive at the mall to "reserve" a perfect spot to see Hsu, who was in town to grace the opening of Taiwanese fashion label iROO's fifth boutique.

She has been its global brand ambassador for the past six years.

"I've been here since noon," said the Chinese native.

"I've watched almost every episode of Mr Con & Ms Csi. Being so far away from home, watching it in Singapore was a source of comfort.

"Naturally, I was dismayed when it came to an end."

Another long-time fan, Filipino postgraduate student Colwin Tanhehco, 22, arrived at 3pm.

"I've been following Xiao S's career even before Mr Con & Ms Csi," said Mr Tanhehco, who is doing his master's in mass communications at Nanyang Technological University.

"I've loved her since she hosted variety show 100% Entertainment with her older sister (actress Barbie Hsu).

"She is definitely one of the funniest personalities on television."

Hsu, a mum of three girls aged 10, eight and four, was a hoot the minute she emerged on stage.

Never one to shy from self-praise, she told the crowd: "I have a new title. I'm an international professional superstar."

Referring to herself as a "fashion icon", she joked that "all the media present today should send my pictures to (British) supermodel Kate Moss", so Moss can see how good she looks.

Her humour continued during her interview with local reporters.

When asked what is one fashion accessory she cannot do without, Hsu replied without hesitation: "(Nipple) pasties."

HOT DUDES

She is currently preparing a new talk show which she hopes to front with "12 hot celebrity dudes" and her dream line-up includes Chinese actors Hu Ge and Huang Bo.

When asked if the guys should be concerned about her trademark antic of fondling men on Mr Con & Ms Csi, Hsu said: "No worries, I will be very well-behaved. Well, maybe I will just pinch them once or twice."

For someone who enjoys lavishing praise on herself, her ego took a bruising recently when her youngest daughter remarked that "mummy's looks are just average".

Hsu recalled that she was "greatly upset" by the girl's words, adding: "I went to vent my frustration on my husband (Taiwanese businessman Mike Hsu), but he just looked at me and deadpanned, 'Honey, you know that kids never lie.'"

PHOTO: VIBES COMMUNICATIONS