EXCLUSIVE! Doug Davidson Tells All About His Exit from The Young and the Restless!

Soap Vet, Doug Davidson tells Soap Opera News all about his exit from Y&R, click here to see what he had to say--->>>

Doug Davidson is the current longest-running cast member of The Young and the Restless. Since May 1978, Williams has been playing the role of Paul Williams, one of the show's most popular characters. He earned himself 5 Daytime Emmy Award nominations, 4 in the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and 1 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Williams won the award in 2013 for Outstanding Lead Actor. After 4 decades of playing the role comes news that Davidson was let go from the show. Soap Opera News caught up with the talented actor who explained the whole situation to us. Read the full interview below!

It has been a tweetstorm on Twitter ever since your account declared that you were fired - do you care to clarify what's really going on?

Doug: My contract was not renewed in January, and I went on recurring status, but as it stands now I have only 2 shows left to air and no new dates. So finally when I was asked point blank, I explained my situation. I’m not there.

There seem to be a lot of cast changes at Y&R recently and fans are worried that there may be some behind-the-scenes drama are you able to shed any light on this?

Doug: I’m not. It’s impossible to speculate as each individual case is different. Aside, from telling me my Contract wasn’t being picked up, I have no information and no communication. It feels as if diminishing my role was the plan all along, which is their prerogative.

You've been a part of the show for about 4 decades, do you feel your character has run his course and this is why he's been off the show for an extended period, do you think there's a lot more that the writers can do?

Doug: I hear the same thing said about the genre, but the biggest thing in all dramatic entertainment, movies as well as television, is the continuing story. We are only limited and freed by the writing. There is ALWAYS story. The writers are focused in a different direction. I understand that. There have been choices I would not have made, but that’s not my call. I know the history firsthand and there are some things I would never touch. But again, not my call. It’s hard for me not to be emotional, period, in any circumstance, but I’ve been doing this show so long, I can’t help but be subjective.

Will Paul's absence be explained any at all or will he just vanish into thin air like some characters in recent times?

Doug: No Idea.

Have fans already seen the last of Paul Williams or do you have more upcoming scenes before an official exit?

Doug: 2 shows to air. I’m not proud of them. We went directly to tape, no rehearsal, which happens, but with a new actor I’m not familiar with, that makes it so much more difficult. No shows beyond that.

Fans feel that the show is spending more time investing in the newbies and creating new families for them to care about while neglecting the vets who carry a whole lot of history and a huge fan base, do you share the same sentiments? Care to elaborate?

Doug: That’s not my job. I have only offered my opinion when I couldn’t control my feelings. After 40 years, it’s not always easy to zip it shut. A daily show is a monster. I know how hard it is on everyone. We must all believe everyone is doing the best they can.

Your fans have worked relentlessly to get you back as a regular on the show by creating petitions, sending messages to the show, running Twitter campaigns, etc what do you have to say to your fans? And, do you have any other projects on the horizon?

Doug: Do I have anything to say to my fans?? They are incredible!!! They have been my rock all 40 years. They have supported me, comforted me, enjoyed my wins, endured my losses and have never let me down. I have tried, with all my heart, to do the same for them, not only as ‘Paul’ but Doug too. You know, when you strip everything away, we are all just people. I have tried to be a good person to them. They have most assuredly been good people to me. I can’t say enough about them, I so feel the love.

What will you be doing while you're not working on the show? Is it possible we could see you on another daytime drama?

Doug: As I explained last night, The Young and the Restless has been my home for 40 years, hard to imagine anything else right now. Let me dust myself off, find my bootstraps and see what the future holds. I have faith, not always enough, but I ALWAYS get an answer when I ask for more. I’ve been blessed with so many things, my family, my friends, my job, our loyal viewers ...I am so grateful. Truly grateful. Thanks

So, fans how do you feel about the recent news of Davidson's status on the show?