Michael Mealor confirms Y&R exit but silence continues for Hunter King

Michael Mealor has finally admitted that his time on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS is coming to a close. Jason Thompson was the first cast member to acknowledge that he was going to miss his onscreen nephew and Mealor admits that his Uncle Billy shared the news first. The actor said he enjoyed his 3 1/2 years on the CBS soap and thanked his castmates for helping him to maintain. Rumors have been flying for over a month that Kyle and Summer's portrayers were leaving but this is the first time that one of the actors involved has admitted it.

Mealor did not give any of the pertinent details that Y&R fans are waiting on but surely they will come later. Viewers want to know when the actual last dates will be that Kyle and Summer will be on screen. They also desire to find out if the couple will reunite and if it will be included in their final episodes or not. Hunter King's character left Genoa City a week ago and was last seen in her hotel in Milan, saying goodbye to her father Nick.

Michael Mealor did not address why he is leaving the CBS soap but the rumor mill indicates that contract negotiations fell through. Many of tho9se who enjoy THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS were fans of Kyle and Summer and wanted to see them married with children. It's really a shame that the couple went through so much drama only to be leaving town without their fairytale ending. Skyle fans are hoping that Kyle and Summer will get a fitting sendoff that will at least make up for the fact that they are leaving.

One never knows what the execs have in mind and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS might not have Mealor and King's characters reunite on screen. Recently on sister soap, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Kierra Barnes departed her role as Zoe Buckingham. There had been a big buildup since April when it was announced the actress would be leaving daytime for a role in the new FOX remake of FANTASY ISLAND.

Zoe's fiancee Carter Walton had cheated on her with Quinn Forrester and viewers were expecting a big fight scene where Zoe confronts the duo prior to leaving LA. B&B fans were stunned when Zoe simply left for Paris after her sister told her what was going on. It was as if being cheated on did not even matter.

Perhaps because of the legacy of Skyle and the popularity of Mealor and King THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS might do better by them. A number of fans have said they hope Harrison turns out not to be Kyle's son and that perhaps Summer might find out she is pregnant and Kyle will leave Genoa City to be with the woman he loves.

Fans are eagerly awaiting Hunter King's response to the rumors and take note that Michael Mealor said nothing about her departure. In the meantime, those who watch THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS are assuming that at some point the woman who has been portraying Summer Newman will give an official statement. For about six weeks now the rumor mill, as well as spoiler alerts have been suggesting that a high-profile female soap star was dissatisfied with her job and was leaving.

There were even stories indicating that it was Michelle Stafford, (Phyllis on Y&R) or Laura Wright or Kelly Monaco who play Carly and Sam on GENERAL HOSPITAL. Astute viewers who watch THE YUNG AND THE RESTLESS picked up on the way Summer's character was being written and began saying she was not acting like herself. She fought hard for Kyle in order to get him away from Lola, but now was basically handing him over to Tara.

These fans suspected that Hunter King was the actress in question and although it has not been confirmed, no other high-profile actress has announced she is departing a soap. Best of luck to Michael Mealor in whatever his future holds and the same to Summer King. Skyle fans will have to be patient as this storyline unfolds and wait to see if at a future date the characters will be recast or Mealor and or King returns to THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS.