Actor Zhang Jinlai, or more well-known with his stage name of "Liu Xiao Ling Tong", has denied rumors¹ that his performance was canceled at the Spring Festival gala staged by CCTV.

演员章金莱，或者是艺名更为人们所熟知的“六小龄童”，近日否认了自己的节目被中央电视台春节晚会所毙的传言。

Instead, the actor confirmed through People's Daily that he was not invited by the gala's organizer at all. The news has aroused huge discontent from Chinese netizens.

但是，这位演员通过《人民日报》，证实了他根本没有被春晚节目组所邀请。这一消息也引起了广大中国网民的强烈不满。

Many believe that Liu Xiao Ling Tong should be a must for the Spring Festival Gala, as 2016 was the Year of Monkey, according to the Chinese Zodiac sign.

根据中国生肖传统，因为2016年是猴年，所以许多人认为六小龄童应该是参演春晚的必备人选。

Thirty years ago, Zhang brought the character of the Monkey King to life in the seminal² TV series "Journey to the West". His classic performance has made him the most recognized player of the imaginary figure ever since.

三十年前，章金莱在电视连续剧《西游记》当中，活灵活现的饰演了猴王孙悟空一角。而自此之后，他的经典演绎也让他成为最深入人心的“美猴王”形象。

Comments on the situation have flooded the official Sina Weibo account of the gala organizers. For himself, the actor says he is always ready to appear on the stage.

据悉，对于上述事件的评论已经淹没了春晚剧组的新浪官方微博。而对于六小龄童本人来说，他表示，自己随时可以登台表演。