Ma Dong [file photo: CCTV.com]

Ma Dong, producer and host of the contest show "Challenge Anchor" on the variety channel of CCTV, China's central television, has said he will temporarily leave his post after the sudden death of his father. 　　

Ma Ji, a renowned Chinese crosstalk artist, died of heart disease in Beijing last Wednesday and was cremated at the city's Babaoshan Cemetery on Sunday. 　

The director of the show, Jia Qingyun, said Ma Dong is a very dutiful son and has been too grief-stricken to fully accept the fact of his father's death these past few days.

The TV contest will enter its final phase with 40 finalists Tuesday. Each winner will be given a contract to work as an anchor for CCTV. 　　

Jia explained, "Ma Dong's low spirit has made him unable to shoulder such a big responsibility as hosting the final. We have to be responsible, for him and the program, so another two veteran anchors, Zhu Jun and Dong Qing, will take over his job in the final." 　　

Jia also expressed that Ma Ji's death was a great loss for the contest. Ma Ji and Shen Li, China's first female TV anchor, were to give out the awards to the first- and second-place winners in the final competition. 　　

Jia said, "Ma Ji was the first variety TV host in China. We planned to review all the famous variety TV anchors in China, beginning with Ma Ji. But now, he can no longer be present."