WASHINGTON FIRED FROM ‘GREY’S ANATOMY’

After weeks of speculation, it’s been announced that actor Isaiah Washington’s contract for the medical television drama Grey’s Anatomy has not been renewed.

This after the star, who plays the character of Burke, came under fire from his colleagues and gay rights groups for an on-set altercation and anti-gay slurs related to co-star T.R. Knight. The fracas led to Knight coming out to the public about his sexuality.

Washington apologised for the comments, and even went as far as going into therapy and appearing in public service television announcements promoting tolerance.

But, according to insiders, this was not enough for the ABC network who announced that the actor will not be returning for the popular show’s fourth season.

In response to the news, Washington issued a statement saying cryptically, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” It’s been suggested that this is a quote from a scene in the movie Network.

The storyline in the last season of Grey’s was written to allow for the possibility of Washington’s character’s departure.

Meanwhile, Entertainment Weekly has reported that T.R Knight will be returning to the show – with a significant salary increase. It’s said that he will earn around $125,000 an episode and will get a small profit share in the series.