(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Patrick Dempsey has revealed the eighth season on Grey's Anatomy will be his last.

The American actor plays neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd in the ABC television series for which he has received critical acclaim.

The 45-year-old star has been an integral cast member since season one of the show in 2005, but has now explained the upcoming eighth season will be his final appearance.

After hinting about his exit for some time, the actor announced his departure in Italian Vanity Fair magazine.

"It's gonna be my last," he said. "I do not know what's going to happen to the other characters, but for me it's done."

However, the actor's publicist has released a statement to Entertainment Weekly claiming his departure comment was taken out of context. The actor's representative insists he was only referring to his contract being up after next season and it's still uncertain as to his future plans.

"He was referring to the fact that his contract is up at the end of next season and we have no idea what the future holds," he said.

In the interview, Patrick said he wants to move away from television roles and appear on the big screen. The hunky actor will star in the upcoming Transformers: Dark of the Moon alongside Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Shia LaBeouf, but insists his dream role would be Marvel superhero Dr. Strange in a film adaptation.

"I've been lobbying for that," he previously told the Los Angeles Times. "There's a whole bunch of people [among the Grey's crew] who are into comics and Marvel, too, on the set, and they're like, Doctor Strange, that's the one you should do.' It would be fantastic." (C) Cover Media