Adam Rose/Investigation Discovery

Five years after being taken off contract and placed on recurring status, Jacklyn Zeman (ex-Bobbie Spencer, “General Hospital“) has opened up to Soap Opera Digest in its newest issue about the circumstances surrounding her unexpected departure from the ABC daytime drama series.

“It was like a grieving process when I left the show because it was such a part of my life for so many years. I mean, I played Bobbie for over 30 years, pretty much five days a week. So when Jill Phelps [former executive producer, now EP of 'Y&R'] decided to get rid of the character, I was one totally unprepared and two, totally shocked, because I just assumed that Bobbie would always be there. I had this commitment to the network and I felt that the commitment worked both ways,” reveals Zeman.

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Photo Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

UPDATE, 9:43 PM ET: Should Burton ultimately depart “GH,” as rumored… Soap Opera Network is hearing rumblings of the actor heading to “The Young and the Restless” now that Jill Farren Phelps is EP’ing the CBS soap. Phelps had been the executive producer of “GH” from 2001-2011.

PREVIOUS, 8:48 PM ET: Daytime Confidential is reporting that ABC’s “General Hospital” and Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) may part ways as the show has been unable to broker a new deal with the actor.

“Steve and ABC have been negotiating for quite some time and it doesn’t look like he’s going to stay,” said a source to DC.

Should Burton depart “GH,” it would mark the end of a nearly two-decade long career at the drama series. First joining the cast in 1991, Burton left the series in 2000. He returned in 2002, and has remained at the show ever since. He also appeared on the “GH” spinoff, “General Hospital: Night Shift,” during the SOAPnet original series’ first season.

A representative for “General Hospital” was unavailable for comment at press time.

Photo Credit: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

UPDATE, MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 5:20 PM ET: Rumor no more, Ian Buchan has returned to ABC’s “General Hospital.”

PREVIOUS, THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012 7:20 PM ET: Rumor has it that Ian Buchanan, who just completed his run on NBC’s “Days of our Lives” yesterday as Ian McAllister, is heading back to ABC’s “General Hospital” after a 23-year absence. Buchanan was last seen in 1989 as Duke Lavery on the soap, but the character was killed off in 1990 while portrayed by actor Greg Beecroft.

When asked by a fan on twitter if he was returning, Buchanan said, “My tweets are sealed.”

A “General Hospital” spokesperson was unavailable for comment at press time.

Photo Credit: Disney/ABC Television Group

“General Hospital” DVR Alerts for the Week of August 27, 2012.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: DVR ALERTS

Monday, August 27: Anna comes face to face with the mystery patient. Jerry makes his demands clear to the people of Port Charles. Joe Jr. promises to protect Tracy.  Can he be trusted?

Tuesday, August 28: Todd makes a confession to Carly about his feelings. Will Patrick’s suspicions about Ewen put Elizabeth in danger? Jax tries to reason with his brother. Starr and Michael try to stop Trey and Kristina from making a bad decision.

Wednesday, August 29: Will Elizabeth’s actions put her in further jeopardy? Carly comforts Jax. Sonny pulls a gun on Joe Jr. Michael asks Kristina an important question.

Thursday, August 30: Port Charles awakens to a dire situation. Todd pays Jerry a visit. Luke and Anna make love.

Friday, August 31: Will John be able to stop Jerry before it’s too late? Will Jason be able to save Elizabeth? Luke opens up to Anna.

Photo Credit: IMDb

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Marshall Hilliard will appear for eight episodes as a new officer at the Port Charles Police Department. “I call him Officer Marshall,” the actor joked to Digest.

“I’ve shot eight episodes so far and I’m working with Michael Easton [John McBain],” Hilliard said. ”And let me tell you, they run a great production over there. Frank [Valentini, executive producer] is so artistic.”

Last seen in 2011 as Dylan on NBC’s “Days of our Lives,” Hilliard is probably best known as Hart Jessup #4 on CBS’ “Guiding Light” from 1995-1996. He was soon replaced by actor Frank Grillo, who held the role until 1999. Hilliard appeared in a 2010 episode of TNT’s “Hawthorne.” His first airdate on “GH” is scheduled for Thursday, August 30.

Photo Credit: Rick Rowell/ABC

UPDATE, 11:42 PM ET: E! Online has posted Marcil’s divorce papers, which were filed on Friday, August 17 in L.A. County. According to the documents, Marcil married Giovinazzo on July 11, 2010, and now the actress wishes to dissolve their marriage as of Saturday, August 4, citing irreconcilable differences. The actress also wishes to remove the last name Giovinazzo from her legal name.

PREVIOUS, 12:58 PM ET: After famously denying any marriage following word of her legally changing her name from Vanessa Marcil to Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo, just before officially returning to ABC’s “General Hospital” back in 2010, Marcil Giovinazzo (ex-Brenda Barrett) is now divorcing her husband Carmine Giovinazzo (“CSI: NY“), according to a report by TMZ.

According to TMZ, Marcil is asking for Giovinazzo to pay her attorney’s fees and the court to award her spousal support.

For more on the matter, visit TMZ‘s website.

Frank Ockenfels/E! Entertainment

“Happy Back to Work Day!!!! YAY!!” said Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones) in a tweet earlier today as she prepared for her first day back on the set of ABC’s “General Hospital.” The actress also tweeted a photo of her script that was tucked away in her purse, saying “Bag packed. Off to work. #excitement.”

Storms re-tweeted a tweet by co-star Jason Thompson (Patrick Drake), who said, “I’m excited about getting back to work today. A healthy chunk is because @teenystweeting is back!! (but shh, we know how her head can swell).” Read More >>

Although “Good Afternoon America“ showed some gains over the recent performance of ratings eyesore “The Revolution,” those gains could only last so long. The ABC News daytime talk show hosted by “Good Morning America’s” Lara Spencer and Josh Elliott has also failed to bring in an audience on par with the year-ago airings of the canceled “One Life to Live” after five weeks of ratings data (week of August 6-10, 2012).

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Photo Credit: Disney/ABC Television Group

“General Hospital” DVR Alerts for the Week of August 20, 2012.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: DVR ALERTS

Monday, August 20: Lulu and Dante meet with her doctor. Jason wants Spinelli to get information on Ewen. Trey gets an unexpected visitor.

Tuesday, August 21: Todd offers Carly his support. Kate and Sunny share some romance. Starr is troubled by Trey’s confession.

Wednesday, August 22: Kristina makes a major decision. Kate has a flash of memory of Connie. Luke meets Todd.

Thursday, August 23: Josslyn gets a surprise visitor. Will Ewen be able to protect Elizabeth? Joe Jr. charms Tracy.

Friday, August 24: Is Anna close to locating Robin? Johnny is surprised to learn of someones return to Port Charles.

Ricky Martin (ex-Miguel Morez, “General Hospital“) was a guest on the Thursday, August 16 edition of “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” and the singer/actor along with host Jimmy Fallon spoofed his stint on the ABC Daytime drama series.

In late July it was announced that Martin had signed a talent holding deal with Universal Television, which will look to develop a television series and specials with him in a leading role.

“Ricky is an iconic superstar who is as talented as he is popular,” said Bela Bajaria, Executive Vice President, Universal Television, in announcing the deal. “Whether he’s performing before sold-out concert crowds, or starring on Broadway, where he is currently playing to SRO in ‘Evita,’ Ricky connects with his audience in a very palpable way – and we are thrilled that he will be adding TV star to his incredible resume.”

Martin joined the cast of “GH” in 1994 as the character Miguel Morez, the father of Juan Santiago through his teenage relationship with Lily Rivera. He left the series in 1995, four years before becoming an international music sensation with the launch of his english speaking self-titled album. “Ricky Martin” has sold more than 22 million copies worldwide since its May 1999 release.