Hongkong actor Auston Lam announced on Wednesday (Jun 24) that his contract with TVB has ended, making him a free agent now. He joins a long list of talents who have left the company recently, including Evergreen Mak, Vivien Yeo and Selena Lee.

Auston signed with TVB in 2009 after competing in the first season of the reality singing competition, The Voice. Since then, the 32-year-old worked mainly as an actor, appearing in a number of dramas including the sitcom, Come Home Love.

In his IG post announcing his departure from TVB, Auston wrote that the company had asked him to sign a “six show” contract with them during contract negotiations. He also said that TVB would only guarantee him a monthly salary of HK$12K (S$2150) a year if he were to re-contract with them.

“[The amount’s] not even enough for me to pay for a month’s rent, but I am still immensely grateful for this heavenly gift [that the company] has bestowed upon me! I’m 32 this year, and I have a family [to feed], how can I accept this gift?” he wrote.

Auston’s wife, Hongkong actress-host Tammy Ou-Yang, who had left TVB earlier this year, also wrote a post on her Instagram that was directed at the broadcaster.

“After I left TVB, I’ve never said a word [about the company], be it publicly or privately 'cos I really don’t wish to have any association with my old employer. But today I want to say something, thank you for letting my husband go. However, please take back the gracious gift you’ve given us ever so kindly, we’ll do just fine on our own,” she wrote.

Photos: PBE Media, Auston Lam/Instagram