Dr. George O'Malley, the closest thing to a walking Disney character seen on the cast of TV's Grey's Anatomy, is has been discharged from America's favourite hospital.
T.R. Knight, who has played George on the ABC series since day one, was due to renegotiate his contract, along with co-star Katherine Heigl, but while the glamourous Heigl agreed a new deal, Knight did not.
That means Dr. Izzie Stevens, who was left at death's door in the final episode of last season, will kick on.
But those with George O'Malley lunchboxes should put them on eBay while they can still draw a buyer.
Knight released a statement Friday saying, "Leaving `Grey's Anatomy' was not an easy decision for me to make. I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to play this character and will miss my fellow cast and crew very much."
Kinght thanked the fans of the show for their support over the years.
Minneapolis born Knight has been involved in the performing arts since the age of five, when he joined the Guthrie Theater. He became a fixture on Broadway in the early part of the decade before earning his spot on Grey's Anatomy, which led to a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2007.
Knight was drawn into controversy in 2006 when co-star Isaiah Washington used an anti-gay slur aimed at him.
Washington later denied making the slur, telling E! Online, "I never called T.R. a faggot. It never happened." Knight later went on the Ellen Degeneres Show and said it did.
Washington would later apologize, but when Knight's contract was renewed by producers, Washington was let go.
The first George-free episode of the coming season of Grey's Anatomy will air on September 29.
