Patrick Dempsey 'sad' to see Eric Dane exit

By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Posted July 31, 2012

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Patrick Dempsey in a scene from 'Grey's Anatomy' on ABC. (Credit: By Ron Tom, ABC)

That naughty Patrick Dempsey. He got in a little bit of trouble with ABC on Monday.

The Grey's Anatomy star tweeted two photos from the set that featured possible clues as to how Eric Dane's McSteamy character will be exiting the show. He added, "Back on greys all week working with Eric , sad to see him go"

He then tweeted: "I just was told to take photos down ? Abc is watching"

(If you ask us, they weren't that spoiler-y. You can see them here and here.)

Last week, Dane put out a statement thanking the cast, ABC and Shondaland for the "experience and memories." Dane's departure follows Chyler Leigh's exit. Her Lexie Grey character died in a plane crash in the Season 8 finale. And Kim Raver is also gone from the show; Kevin McKidd's Owen fired Raver's Teddy character.

But Dane will appear in two episodes when the show returns on Sept. 27. But there may be other people who exit the show, Shonda Rhimes tells The Hollywood Reporter. "I think any number of people could be departing at this point. That's left open."