Isaiah Washington Back as Dr Burke on Grey's Anatomy to Bid Farewell to Sandra Oh

Isaiah Washington, who played Dr Preston Burke on the popular TV show Grey's Anatomy, is making a comeback to reprise his role in the medical drama.

Washington is getting back to the series to mark the exit of Sandra Oh, who plays the character Cristina Yang in the Shonda Rhimes show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

This will be Washington's first appearance on the Grey's 10th series after his notorious exit since season 3 seven years ago. Cristina was the love interest of Dr Burke in that series where Washington's character left her at the altar.

The former Grey's Anatomy star was seen making homophobic remarks against his gay co-star TR Knight publicly. And the show's creator, Rhimes, known for her LGBT-friendly attitude, took no time to fire the actor from the fourth series of ABC's long-running medical drama.

"It's important to me that Cristina's journey unfolds exactly as it should," Rhimes told The Hollywood Reporter.

"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," she added while briefing about Burke's return.

After getting ousted from Grey's Anatomy, Washington again worked on the CW show The 100. He also worked on movies like Blue Caprice and Go for Sisters.

Meanwhile, Washington's return to the series was also welcomed by LGBT watchdog group GLAAD.

"His PSA and his statements promoting marriage equality in recent years have sent a strong message of support for LGBT people," it said in a statement.

"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."