Grey's Anatomy: Shonda Rhimes talks on Katherine Heigl return reports

Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes has squashed hopes of fans that American actress/film producer Katherine Heigl will return to the show.

During ABC's Television Critics Association press tour party at the Beverly Hilton on 5 August, the 45-year-old told TV Line's Michael Ausiello that Heigl's character Izzie Stevens will not be back at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

"I'm done with that story. I've turned that idea over in my mind a thousand times and thought about how it would go. And I don't think so," she said.

Heigl quit the medical drama in 2010, following reports of unprofessional behaviour on the Grey's Anatomy set.

Last year, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Rhimes said that she is happy that there are "no Heigls" among the cast members on her ongoing hit show Scandal.

"I don't put up with bulls**t or nasty people. I don't have time for it," she said at that time. "There are no Heigls in this situation."

In June, the Ugly Truth actress told Entertainment Tonight that she is grateful for the time she spent on the show.

"It changed the course of my life and my career, and I couldn't be more grateful. I just hope it goes for as long as they all want it to."

ABC will air the 12th season of Grey's Anatomy on 24 September in the US.