An old man in Shanghai who became an online celebrity by “waiting for love” every evening at a landmark has turned out to be a deadbeat who refused to fulfil a court order that he pay a large amount of outstanding rent to his landlord.
Advertisement
The true identity of the man, known as Xu, was revealed by Shanghai TV in mid-November.
This attracted much attention on social media thanks to his previous “romantic” persona.
He went viral online last year when many people saw him dressed neatly, carrying a plastic bag containing bottled water and snacks and standing by the side of a bustling road under the city’s Nanpu Bridge.
As a result, Xu, who is nearly 70 and single, earned the nickname “Nanpu Bridge Uncle”.
“I am waiting for love,” he told passers-by.
Advertisement
Xu has not appeared on the road in recent months.