Steve Burton is back at General Hospital.
His return was unveiled in a dramatic promo which aired following the General Hospital 60th Anniversary Special on Thursday night.
Burton, 53, was fired from the legendary soap opera in 2021 over a COVID-19 vaccine conflict after years playing Jason Morgan.
The announcement comes just one day after Burton revealed his departure from another iconic soap opera – Days Of Our Lives.
His GH unveiling featured fellow General Hospital stars Laura Wright and Kelly Monaco, who both emerged from a set of doorways on a shadowy stage.
Steve Burton has revealed his return to General Hospital after he was fired from the soap opera in 2021 over a COVID-19 vaccination conflict
‘You know what they say – when one door closes,’ Laura began before Kelly appeared and added, ‘Another door opens.’
Then, Burton appears from the center doorway. ‘Happy anniversary General Hospital. Stay tuned. Big things are coming to Port Charles,’ Burton said.
Burton will be returning as James Morgan early this year, Deadline reported.
Burton was fired in 2021 after he refused to comply with the production’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
Announcing his departure on Instagram, he said at the time: ‘I wanted you to hear it from me personally. Unfortunately, General Hospital has let me go because of the vaccine mandate.
‘I did apply for my medical and religious exemptions and both of those were denied, which hurts but this is also about personal freedom to me. I don’t think anybody should lose their livelihood over this.’
At the time of his exit, his character had just tied the knot with Wright’s character Carly.
His unveiling featured fellow General Hospital stars Laura Wright and Kelly Monaco, who both emerged from a set of doorways on a shadowy stage
Then, Burton appears from the center doorway. ‘Happy anniversary General Hospital. Stay tuned. Big things are coming to Port Charles,’ Burton said
Speaking of his exit, he told Deadline in July: ‘Look, the circumstance [of his GH departure] was tough and you know, that’s just the way it is.
‘I’ll always be grateful for my time there. It was my family for so long. I grew up there and the fans have always been awesome to me.’
The announcement comes just one day after Burton announced his Days Of Our Lives exit.
Burton revealed in the brief Daily Drama video, ‘Wow. Well I just shot my final scenes here at Days of Our Lives, and I just want to say thank you to everybody, to the cast, to the crew, to Days, everybody. It’s been amazing.’
‘I can’t believe it’s been a year already, so thank you so much to the fans. It’s just… I’m always so full of gratitude, so thank you. Stay tuned,’ he concluded.
Burton played James Morgan on-off for 30 years before he was fired in 2021
Burton will be returning as Morgan early this year, Deadline reported
Burton originated the role of Harris Michaels for Days of Our Lives back in 1988, though he only appeared in a short run of episodes.
Two years later he signed on to play Jason Morgan, which he played from 1990 to 2012, before leaving to play Dylan McAvoy on The Young and the Restless from 2013 to 2017.
He returned to General Hospital in 2017 as Morgan until his firing in 2021.
The career changes come not long after Burton finalized his messy divorce with Sheree Gustin.
