'Grey's' departure rumours scotched

'Grey's Anatomy' actor Patrick Dempsey has dismissed reports his co-stars T.R. Knight and Katherine Heigl are leaving the series.

Cast member James Pickens Jr. 'revealed' the pair had quit the show last month, prompting series creator Shonda Rhimes to hit back insisting his comments had been misconstrued.

She said: "That was a very interesting rumour. And it's not true. That was absolutely taken out of context. Things happen, and I think rumours become fact very easily. And you know I don't like to tell you what's going to happen on the show - but that is a rumour."

And now Dempsey is weighing in to put a stop to the rumours once and for all - insisting the cast is more dedicated to the series than ever, thanks to economic uncertainty.

He said: "We have contracts. We're not going anywhere for two more years. We all signed the same contract. As far as I know, no one is leaving the show. I think we should all be quite grateful we have jobs right now and I think the cast realises that more and more everyday... The success of the show is because of the group itself."