Heigl, Knight to leave Grey's Anatomy
Posted: 11 February 2009 1242 hrs

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LOS ANGELES : "Grey’s Anatomy" stars Katherine Heigl and TR Knight are bidding goodbye to the medical drama series that shot them to stardom.

Co-star James Pickens Jr who plays Dr Richard Webber on the ABC series, told Us Weekly magazine that he wishes Heigl "nothing but the best".

As for Knight, Pickens said he is leaving to pursue other "career paths".

The magazine also quoted a set source saying that the show’s writers are planning to create a “believable exit” for Knight’s character, one that would make it possible to return to the show at a later date.

Publicists for Knight and for series creator Shonda Rhimes declined comment. Requests for comment from Heigl’s publicist and ABC were unavailable as well.

The stars' departure do not come as a surprise as things haven't been so peachy on the set of "Grey's".

Last year, Heigl who plays troubled doctor Dr Izzie Stevens, voiced her displeasure about the show's script quality and did not put her name in for Emmy consideration, as she hadn’t been “given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination”.

In December, Knight who stars as George O’Malley, asked to be released from his contract, as he felt that it was "time to move on".

- CNA/km/il