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Isaiah Washington set for sensational Grey's Anatomy return... seven years after he was axed for anti-gay slurs

PUBLISHED: 20:32 EST, 6 March 2014 | UPDATED: 06:55 EST, 7 March 2014

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He was sensationally axed from Grey's Anatomy seven years ago following his use of homophobic slurs towards a co-star.

But now Isaiah Washington is set to return to the medical drama as Dr Preston Burke for a special one-off appearance in May as his on-screen love interest Dr Christina Yang (Sandra Oh) departs the show.

Speaking about Burke, who was last seen during the finale of season three as he stood Christina up at the altar, showrunner Shonda Rhimes said in a statement: 'It's important to me that Cristina's journey unfolds exactly as it should. Burke is vital to that journey - he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang.'

Comeback kid: Isaiah Washington is making a sensational return to Grey's Anatomy as Dr Preston Burke, seven years after he was fired, as Sandra Oh's character and his one-time love interest, Dr Christina Yang, prepares to leave

Sandra will leave the show at the end of the 10th season in May.

Washington's character was one of the central players on the programme for the first three seasons.

However, on set altercations with then co-star T.R. Knight led to him using anti-gay slurs against his fellow actor and he was fired.

Despite this, GLAAD, the non-governmental media monitoring organisation which promotes the image of LGBT people in the media, has praised his return.

It said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: 'His PSA and his statements promoting marriage equality in recent years have sent a strong message of support for LGBT people.

'We look forward to seeing him return to one of our favorite shows, as well as in Patrik-Ian Polk's moving film Blackbird about a young man coming out in a small Southern town.'

Full circle: Isaiah's character is being brought back to bring the arc of Sandra's character 'full circle' as she prepares to leave

Isaiah blamed Knight for the incident and insisted the wrong man was let go.

He told the Houston Chronicle in 2007,one month after he was fired, 'I have to clear my name. I'll start from the beginning. I'm telling everything. So here's the truth."

While Knight told chat show host Ellen DeGeneres that Isaiah used the slur against him and that 'everyone (on the set) heard', Isaiah insisted he used it during an argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey.

Sacked: Isaiah was let go after using a homophobic slur towards T.R. Knight [L] while fighting with Patrick Dempsey [R] on set

'That's a lie," Washington said. 'I used the word during a disagreement with Patrick. I apologi'ed for that. We shook hands and went back to work.'

'I was not fired for making homophobic slurs, ' he added: 'I did everything I said I would do. ... I wanted everyone to know I was remorseful. '

Rhimes previously called the period after he was fired a 'really difficult time’.

She told The Hollywood Reporter: 'It was hard for me to write the show. Seasons four and five were difficult because I was in a dark place after the press frenzy that descended on us because of the [Washington and Knight situation and critical backlash to the stories.

Devastated: Sandra's character was left devastated after Dr Burke failed to show up for their wedding

'In the beginning, it felt like such a magical place, and to discover that everyone isn't who you thought they were is very unfortunate.

'Some awesome things did come out of it though. I found the Callie [Sara Ramirez] and Erica [Brooke Smith] relationship and Owen [Kevin McKidd, who played Christina's former husband] in there.

'There were things that were amazing because they pull you through. A lot of us joke that we have PTSD from that period of time - and we do.'

New love: Christina went on to marry and divorce Dr Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) after her relationship with Burke broke down

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mummyof2, Dublin, Ireland, 12 hours ago

I absolutely LOVE the show & never miss an episode!! Was never a big fan of Burke but since Christina is leaving I guess they have 2 include him since he was a big part of her life!! Gonna be sooo odd not having her on the show anymore, she rocks!!

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Bella0461, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 14 hours ago

I dont want it to end :(

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kim, London, United Kingdom, 14 hours ago

PC nonsense.

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Sound off, Dallas, 15 hours ago

Yeah...I mean this is REALLY important...but good for him for getting another job...geesh! Tolerance anyone? Forgiveness, I mean do ya'll have to fire EVERYONE who disagrees with you or makes a mistake and then trash their lives for years to come...man oh man oh, some people need to find some kind of religion!