Photo: Donna Svennevik/ABC

Friday, January 15, 2010 12:37 PM ET | By Scotty Gore

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — “One Life to Live’s” longest running castmember, and six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak is set to take a medical leave from the show in order to have back surgery.  Slezak portrays the soap’s only remaining original character Viki [Banks].

The president of Slezak’s fan club, made the announcement late yesterday on the actress’ official website stating “Erika shared that she will be having back surgery at the end of January, and in Llanview, Viki will take a trip to London to cover Erika’s absence. The surgery will correspond with the ‘OLTL’ studio move, and Erika hopes to return to the new studio within a month. We will keep you posted on her progress and wish her a safe and speedy recovery.”

No word on if the 63-year-old Slezak will pre-tape any scenes before taking her leave.  The show has also not revealed a final airdate prior to her surgery. Slezak joined “OLTL” on March 17, 1971, and has portrayed Viki for almost 39 years.  

SON will continue to follow this story and bring you more details as they develop.

“One Life to Live” airs Weekdays on ABC. Weeknights on SOAPnet. Anytime on ABC.com and SOAPnet.com. Check local listings.