Five things you didn’t know about Desmond Tan

SINGAPORE - We know he’s one of Singapore’s hottest actors right now and he’s slated to star in three new television series this year. But there’s more to Desmond Tan than just his looks or acting ability. Here, in his own words, the actor unleashes a few skeletons from his closet - from his disdain for socks to acting dumb - that no one else knows about.

1. HIS FEET DON’T SWEAT - THEY GLOW. “I don’t wear socks. I haven’t worn them since my school days. My feet don’t perspire – it’s one of my best qualities! I don’t like black socks in particular. I find them very dirty – especially rolled up black socks. I think when I was young, I went to my father’s office and saw black socks left there by his workers and they were smelly. Just talking about the black socks now, I can remember the smell.”

2. HIS HAS OCD. “I’m quite a neat freak. I like my house very neat. I used to have bad OCD. I wouldn’t leave things like that (gestures to his car keys, phone and bottle of water on the table). I would make sure everything was lined up. I don’t know if you noticed, but while I was talking to you, I was looking at them. Over the years, I’ve pulled myself away from it.”

3. HE’S QUITE AN “AUNTIE” THESE DAYS. “I’ve realised I enjoy washing dishes. I’m very particular – I make sure the plate squeaks. When I had a marble tabletop, whenever my friends came over in the first year, I had to put coasters under their cups. I’m into juicing now – I have a slow juicer. I never thought that I would be juicing spinach, cabbage, carrots and beetroot. I’m watching my diet very closely now, because last year I learnt a lesson (after) I fainted in March. I realised that I had been taking health for granted for the longest time.”

4. HE HAS NEVER PUNCHED ANYBODY. “I haven’t been in a fist-fight with anyone. It’s one of my ultimate fantasies to actually get into a fist-fight, like a Fight Club kind of thing. I’ve only been slapped – during a football match in Primary Three. It was the beginning of the match. I kicked off and ran. Then this guy came straight for me and smacked me in the face. I saw stars. The guy just looked at me and walked away. Up until today, I still don’t know what I did wrong.”

5. ACTING DUMB MAY SCORE YOU BROWNIE POINTS WITH THIS DUKE. “(My dog) Hoshi just looks stupid. He’s not the smartest dog. And that’s why I dote on him so much. (But) I’ve learnt a lot from him. He taught me how to stick to my habits and my goals.”