Richard Burgi Explains Why He Left The Young and the Restless

Richard Burgi shocked the soap world when he revealed on his Instagram stories over the weekend that he was exiting his role as Ashland Locke on The Young and the Restless. Now, the actor has taken to social media again to explain his reasons for the departure.

Richard Burgi Shares Why He’s No Longer Ashland Locke

“I’m here in Southern California and I hope wherever you are you are having a good one,” Richard Burgi began in an Instagram story in which Soap Hub was tagged. “I was just about to take a swim in the ocean and I looked something up on Google and I found an article about me getting released by the show by the writers.

“I just want to set the record straight,” the actor continues. “My wife had said something about [my exit] being the show’s choice, which is true, but the reality is I naively and inadvertently violated the show’s COVID policy.

What Happened Over The Holidays

“I was back east over Christmas and tested positive somewhere around Christmas [and was] at my niece’s house and visiting my 97-year-old mom,” Richard Burgi explains. “I took the necessary five days [quarantine] that the CDC [Center for Disease Control] recommended.”

Upon his return to Los Angeles, where Y&R tapes, Burgi says that he tested twice negatively at the studio and showed up for work to continue his role as Ashland. However, he adds, it was “not within the show’s guidelines, which is a 10-day protocol. So, I inadvertently violated the show’s COVID rules and protocols. I feel terrible about it. I still do. It bothers me mightily but it is what it is.”

Richard Burgi Understands the Decision

Burgi says he harbors no ill will to Y&R for its choice. “I respect the show’s decision,” he adds. “They’re doing the best they can. We all are.” As for his successor in the part, Robert Newman (ex-Josh Lewis, Guiding Light), Burgi says, “I truly wish the gentleman coming in to play Ashland a wonderful time. He’s going to be working with the most incredible actress [Amelia Heinle, Victoria, Ashland’s bride] and a great, great cast. It’s an amazing show. I have nothing but good memories…” At press time, Y&R did not have an immediate response to Burgi’s post.

The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes. For more about what’s coming up in Genoa City, check out all the latest that’s been posted on Y&R spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.