SHOCKER: With ''love, laughter and tears of joy,'' Greg Vaughan exits Days of our Lives

Days of our Lives is losing yet another fan favorite actor. Greg Vaughan has announced that he is no longer going to be playing the role of Eric Brady. The show's head writer, however, says the door will remain open for the actor to return.

This article has been updated to include a statement from Vaughan after news of his exit surfaced.

Fans of Days of our Lives are still reeling from the shocking news that Kristian Alfonso has decided to walk away from the role of Hope Brady, and now comes more big exit news. Greg Vaughan reveals that he is no longer playing the role of Eric Brady.

The Emmy-winning actor broke the news on LUCKY in Low Country, the podcast hosted by General Hospital stars Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Damian Spinelli).

"Nobody knows, but I've finished my reign at DAYS so, I'm back at Queen Sugar right now," Vaughan shares, referring to the OWN series on which he plays the role of Calvin. "DAYS was going through a renewal and were not knowing where they were going to go, and I just felt my time was coming to an end, anyways."

He doesn't go into too much more detail about his exit, but he does confirm that the decision was his and that he may be back in Salem in the future.

"For all my DAYS fans who are listening, I love you all," he shares. "It's never over so, I'm not going to say it's over, but... I'm taking a break, if you will."

Vaughan joined DAYS in the role of Eric back in 2012. He was written off the series in 2015 but came back a short time later when the writers wanted Eric back in story. Prior to his DAYS run, Vaughan played Lucky Spencer on General Hospital from 2003 to 2009 and Diego Guittierez on The Young and the Restless from 2002 to 2003.

There's no word yet on when viewers will last see Vaughan on the canvas, nor is it clear how Eric will be leaving Salem. The character just recently married his longtime flame Nicole (Arianne Zucker), so his exit will put a serious damper on their happily ever after, to say the least!

The number of Days of our Lives cast members has shrunk considerably in recent months. Vaughan's exit news follows other actors', including Alfonso, Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez), Freddie Smith (Sonny Kiriakis), Chandler Massey (Will Horton), and Kate Mansi (Abigail Deveraux, a role to be resumed by Marci Miller).

UPDATE (July 23, 2020): DAYS head writer, Ron Carlivati, also says that the door has been left wide open for Vaughans return. After news of the actors exit broke, the soap scribe took to Twitter to say, "Wishing all the best to the Emmy-winning @greg_vaughan as he begins his next chapter. Please come back and see us sometime, Greg!"

UPDATE (July 27, 2020): Greg Vaughan took to social media over the weekend to share a more detailed and heartfelt goodbye message with fans.

"Its with love, laughter & tears of joy I leave you," he wrote on Instagram along with a DAYS cast photo. "I believe all things in our lifes path are meant to cross! When I joined the show, I made a list of what I hoped to achieve or give on this journey: my commitment, cherish the friendships & leave an impact! As DOOL continues, as a fan I know it will carry on & rise above it all! My unsung hero, Casting Director - Marnie [Saitta] for her love & passion, craft & commitment you give everyday to the show! I thank you Mr. Corday [DAYS executive producer] for your continuous love, dedication & allowing me to be a part of your DOOLs family legacy! A remarkable Cast & Crew that whole heartedly makes this family soooo beautiful and why I LOVE YOU!!! The best for last, the generations of FANS around the WORLD!!! You make all that we do so rewarding, allowing my dreams to have a greater purpose!!! I THANK YOU & I LOVE YOU"

How do you feel about Greg Vaughan's decision to leave DAYS? How do you think Eric will leave Salem? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.