The Walking Dead's Andrew Lincoln confirms he will leave after season 9
Andrew Lincoln has said he is leaving The Walking Dead.
The British actor, 44, who has been the star of the post-apocalyptic US series since its inception in 2010, confirmed he is stepping away after the forthcoming ninth series.
Speaking at an annual popular culture exhibition in San Diego, Lincoln addressed recent reports his character, the former police officer and long-lasting survivor Rick Grimes, would leave the show.
He told an audience at Comic-Con: "There seems to be an elephant in the room and I think many of you want to ask a question whether or not it is my last year
"This will be my last season playing the part of Rick Grimes."
Fans in the audience groaned at the news.
Andrew Lincoln says @TheWalkingDead S9 will be his last #SDCC ☹️ pic.twitter.com/AVvD2l8nWe
— Mark Saunders @ SDCC (@MarkCSaun) July 20, 2018
Lincoln added: "I love this show, it means everything to me. I love the people who make this show. I'm also particularly fond of the people who watch the show. It's been the most extraordinary, beautiful experience of my career, largely because of you guys."
The actor, known for starring in the film Love Actually, said a "part of me will always be" with the character of Rick and he praised his co-stars, saying series nine of The Walking Dead is the best he has seen.
The Walking Dead series nine is due to air on October 7 and Comic-Con continues until Sunday.
