Derek Shepherd (played by Patrick Dempsey) - better known to many as McDreamy - was one of the original cast members of medical drama Grey's Anatomy. He had an intensely passionate relationship with Dr Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) which made his exit storyline even more heartbreaking. Actor Dempsey's time on the ABC series hasn't come to an end though as he will star in the 17th season.

Eventually, they were able to work things out and got hitched in season five in a low-key registry office after they gave their ceremony to Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) and Izzie

Stevens (Katherine Heigl) after she was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic melanoma.

Fans were left heartbroken at the end of season 11 when Derek was killed off after being involved in a car accident.

Actor Dempsey hasn't been in the drama since but will be returning for series 17.

These scenes have already aired in America as Grey's Anatomy season 17 begun in November 2020.

Dempsey also teased how his return to the medical drama is "very interesting" but fans are just going to have to wait to find out more.

Sadly, the wait for Grey's Anatomy series 17 to start in the UK is taking longer than expected.

Grey's Anatomy airs on Sky Witness in the UK but there isn't a set pattern between when the series starts in America and when it comes over here.

Season 16 began airing on ABC in late September 2019 but didn't start on Sky Witness until April 1, 2020.

There wasn't as long to wait though for season 15 as it began in late September 2018 and crossed the Atlantic the following month.