Steve Burton returns to General Hospital after biding farewell to Days of Ours Lives

In an unexpected turn of events, Steve Burton has bid adieu to Days of Ours Lives. The series vet, announced his departure on Wednesday, just one year after returning to the daytime soap. The news also came after he finalised his divorce from his estranged wife Sheree (Gustin) Burton.

Steve Burton bids farewell to Days of Our Lives

The 53-year-old actor announced his departure on Wednesday, January 3 through a video message to viewers shared by the Daily Drama. He also reflected on his time on the show and expressed his gratitude for joining him along the way.

"Wow! Well, I just shot my final scenes here at Days of Our Lives," he began. "I just want to say thank you so much to the cast [and] to the crew. Everybody. It's been amazing. I can't believe it's been a year already! So, thank you so much to the fans," he added.

Wrapping up the video, Burton advised his fans to stay tuned for what's coming next.

Steve Burton returns to General Hospital

A day after Steve Burton left Days of Our Lives, the actor revealed that he would be returning to General Hospital to reprise his role as Jason Morgan. The announcement was also shared by the official X page of General Hospital. In the final moments of ABC's primetime special General Hospital: 60 Years of Stars and Storytelling. "Happy anniversary, General Hospital,"  Burton said in a pre-recorded clip. "Stay tuned — big things are coming to Port Charles."

Steve Burton made his General Hospital debut in 1991, his character was first known as Jason Quatermaine brain damage he sustained in a car crash wiped his memory and led him to reinvent himself as Jason Morgan. He remained on the series for the next 11 years and even won a 1998 Daytime Emmy for outstanding supporting actor during his tenure. He exited the series in 2012 and returned in 2017 and then in 2021 he revealed that he was "let go" from the show for failing to comply with the COVID-19 regulations.

Steve Burton's personal life

While Burton is ascending in his professional career, the actor's personal life has also made a lot of headlines recently. According to the court documents obtained by People, the former pair agreed to the terms of the divorce, which included joint legal and physical custody of their son Jack and daughter Brooklyn.

Steve Burton is required to pay his former wife $12,500 per month in child support until April 2024. It will be then decreased to $10,000 per month. The duo have also decided to forgo the spouse support regardless of the "unforeseen circumstances that may exist in the future." However, his wife will receive retroactive support amounting to $50,000.