Grey's Anatomy has had 11 solid seasons with the handsome, intelligent Dr. Derek Shepherd. Unfortunately for Grey's Anatomy fans, Dr. Shepherd's time at the Seattle Grace Hospital has come to an end.

According to Hollywood Life, it has been confirmed that Derek will be leaving the drama medical TV show - and Patrick Dempsey might do that as well.

Patrick Dempsey has played Derek since the show began in 2005. That is almost ten long years of connecting to audiences, building relationships with the familiar fan favorites like Meredith. At last, he has decided it is his time to move on. After Grey's Anatomy ended this winter, we were heartbroken as we watched Meredith put her own feelings aside for Derek. She pushed Derek to take the position he coveted in Washington D.C., and he took her advice despite his love for her, leaving Seattle Grace Hospital in the dust.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes gave the dreaded insight into the series' future. She described that Derek is "walking away and [Meredith has] sort of pushed him out the door," Rhimes said, "It's like you call someone's bluff and push them out the door."

Dr. Shepherd will be saying goodbye to Meredith, Shepherd's TV lover and a fellow doctor, because his actor is ready to leave the show for good. But will he return?

"There will be a time when you see him again, yes," Shonda commented, "but it's probable that you won't see Derek for a while." Watch Grey's Anatomy when it returns for its midseason premiere on January 29^th.