Grey's Anatomy: Why Did Burke Star Isaiah Washington Really Leave ...

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Grey’s Anatomy may be heading into its 17th season later this year but there are very few original characters still left in the show. One of those to leave earlier in the series was Dr Preston Burke (played by Isaiah Washington) - here’s everything you need to know about his exit.

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Why did Burke star Isaiah Washington really leave Grey’s Anatomy?

Preston Burke was one of the original cast members of long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy.

He was the attending cardiothoracic surgeon at Seattle Grace Hospital.

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Viewers will remember he had a major relationship with intern Christina Yang (Sandra Oh) in the show.

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This culminated in the pair planning to get married at the end of season three.

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What happened to Burke in Grey's Anatomy? (Image: ABC/SKY)

Grey's Anatomy: Burke left Christina at the altar (Image: SKY/ABC)

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However, viewers will remember how in a devastating storyline twist, Burke left Christina at the altar.

Telling her he thought he was trying to make her into the woman he wanted her to be instead of the woman she was, he called off their marriage.

At the same time Burke left the show and was replaced in his role by Dr Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith).

After leaving the series, he was mentioned multiple times throughout the show.

Then he finally returned in season 10 where he was shown living in Switzerland with his new family.

Grey's Anatomy: Burke last appeared in season 10 (Image: ABC/SKY)

Grey's Anatomy: The actor spoke out about his exit (Image: SKY/ABC)

He asked Christina to take over a privately owned hospital as he was moving to Milan, which marked her exit from the show as well.

Given actor Isaiah Washington exited the show quite suddenly in season three, some fans were wondering whether there was a reason behind his departure.

Viewers may remember there was some controversy surrounding his exit from the show.

In October 2006, reports emerged alleging Washington had insulted his co-star T R Knight with a homophobic slur.

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He issued an apology statement to People back in 2006 which said: “I sincerely regret my actions and the unfortunate use of words during the recent incident on-set.

“Both are beneath my own personal standards. I have nothing but respect for my coworkers and have apologised personally to everyone involved.”

In June 2007, ABC announced it would not be renewing his contract for another season.

Following this, in an interview with Larry King Live he said the slur has not been directed at T R Knight.

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He also told Entertainment Weekly in 2007: “I’m saddened by the outcome.

“I did everything the producers and network asked me to do. I came back under great duress and stress, and thought I was doing the job I was hired to do.

“I thought I was going to speak for my future at Grey’s, but apparently that wasn’t the same vision that the network and the studio has for me.”

Since starring on the show, Washington has gone on to appear in shows like Bull, Blue Bloods and Survior’s Remorse.

He also played the role of Chancellor Jaha in The 100, which is a post-apocalyptic series on The CW.

He starred in the show for five seasons before his character was killed off in 2018.

Grey’s Anatomy season 17 will return to ABC later this year.

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