‘Days Of Our Lives’: Greg Vaughn Leaving Role Of Eric Brady

Days of Our Lives fans are almost getting used to the huge casting shake ups that seem to be revealed on a regular basis as of late. Most recently, Greg Vaughan, who plays Eric Brady on the NBC soap opera, is the last cast member to leave the show.

According to Celeb Dirty Laundry, Greg Vaughan signed a contract extension back in August, but is now requesting that his character, Eric Brady, be written off Days of Our Lives so that he can pursue other career opportunities.

This comes as a shock to many Days of Our Lives fans. Many viewers believed after news that Daniel Jonas was leaving the show that his fiancé, Nicole Walker, would eventually end up back in the arms of Eric Brady, who has been a longtime love interest for Nicole. However, with the introduction of the character Finn, it looks like Nicole could be getting a new love interest after Daniel’s death.

Eric Brady returned to Days of Our Lives with Greg Vaughan in the role in 2012. Eric came home to Salem as a priest, but after he was drugged and sexually assaulted by Kristen DiMera, he left the priesthood and rekindled a romantic relationship with Nicole Walker. However, after Eric found out that Nicole had evidence that could clear his name and return him to the priesthood, their engagement ended and Nicole later found herself engaged to Daniel. Meanwhile, Eric began to fall into a depression, and after the murder of his girlfriend, Serena Mason, started drinking heavily.

It should be interesting to see exactly how and why Eric Brady will be leaving Salem and how it will impact the other residents of Salem. However, Eric’s departure won’t be all Days of Our Lives fans are talking about — more fan favorite characters are set to return to DOOL in the very near future, and will bring with them fresh story lines.

Philip Kiriakis will come home to Salem for the holidays, and it won’t be a warm and fuzzy family reunion. Philip will want to be the king of Titan and will likely be forced to battle his nephew, Brady Black, in order to gain power and control at the Kiriakis company, which Brady and Victor have been running together for years.

Perhaps the biggest news is that Matthew Ashford will be returning as Jack Deveraux. The details are scarce at the moment, but TV Insider confirms that Jack will be back in Salem this spring. Jack was last seen in Salem in 2012, when he died saving his daughter, Abigail, during a disaster. Jack was trapped in an elevator, which fell down the shaft and was never seen again, although everyone believed him to be dead. How did Jack survive the elevator fall? Where has he been all this time, and how will his family react to seeing him alive again?

Jack’s return will be big news for Days of Our Lives characters Jennifer, Abigail, and JJ. Jack will return to Salem to find his family very changed. JJ is greiving the murder of his girlfriend, Paige, and planning to become a police officer, while Abigail is currently going through a terrible ordeal with her son and fiancé, Ben Weston. Jen will now have another shot at love with Jack, as the two are one of daytime’s most beloved couples.

Days of Our Lives fans have not been lacking in drama, and will have a lot more ahead of them as they continue to see the show’s fresh storylines, big returns, shocking departures, and wild plots.

What are your thoughts on Greg Vaughn leaving Days of Our Lives as Eric Brady, and Matt Ashford returning as Jack?

[Image via NBC]