Grayson McCouch News

Grayson McCouch is coming back to As the World Turns.

And no one is more shocked by this development than... Grayson McCouch.

"I didn't think I would come back," the actor told Soap Opera Digest, adding: "My plan was to do a lot of movies and other things... [but] "I couldn't be happier. I am in my element."

Look for McCouch to return on September 24.

After four years on As the World Turns, Grayson McCouch will say goodbye to Oakdale in early 2008.

What is the reason behind this development? There are two dueling theories:

• A show insider says that McCouch was asked to take a salary cut, something even the biggest names in soap operas have been asked to do in this era of budget crunching
• Other says McCouch simply wanted to leave the series.

Either way, McCouch taped his final As the World Turns scenes on December 14. The actor was presented with a cake to celebrate his nearly-five-year run with the show.

"We don't comment on actor contracts," an As the World Turns spokesperson said about the situation.

The latest soap opera rumors are stating that Grayson McCouch (pictured) is out as Dusty on As The World Turns. He'll be exiting the show in January.

In the past two months, there have been numerous cast changes on the show: Dylan Bruce, Wol� Parks, Ryan Serhant, Chaunte� Schuler, Lauretta Vaughn and and Travis Wood have all joined the cast, while Billy Magnussen is on the way.

In outgoing news, Chris Heuisler was recently let go, as was Cady McClain.

Agim Kaba and Scott Bryce also returned to As the World Turns this year. Makes us wonder what 2008 will bring!