The scandal of Hong Kong writer Joe Nieh's disloyalty to his actress girlfriend Vivian Chow has taken a dramatic turn.

The celebrity couple's 20-year relationship will not come to an end as expected. Instead, they are going to get married, Nieh has announced.

Nieh circulated an email to the Hong Kong media on Thursday afternoon, in which he says, "We became more aware of our love for each other among the disturbance; the pressures from all sides made us realize that we are inseparable. We achieved confidence through this trial. Vivian has agreed to marry me and we have applied to register for marriage."

Earlier this month, the 44-year-old playboy was caught by paparazzi French-kissing a young lady at a nightspot. The incident was widely believed to be the last straw in the couple's relationship, although Nieh later explained that he was drunk and didn't even know the girl's name.

Under pressure from local media, which gave massive coverage to the scandal, Nieh and Chow released separate "break-up" statements last Thursday.