After a shocking exit last week in which Patrick Dempsey's character, Dr. Derek Shepherd, was killed off on "Grey's Anatomy," fans rallied behind the actor by creating a petition on Change.org. They are hoping his character is brought back to the show.

According to the petition, which was initiated by a fan named Courtney Williams, viewers have invested in Dempsey's character, also known as McDreamy, for over a decade. Killing him off came as a shock.

"Why would you do us like this? Dedicated and die-hard fans! We DO NOT deserve this!" Williams wrote in the petition addressed to the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes. "It's like you've killed the President of Grey's Anatomy!" she added.

The petition has since been gaining ground after it was opened, and will soon reach its goal of 10,000 signatures.

McDreamy died due to a car accident in the April 23 episode. Flashbacks of his first meeting with Meredith Grey (played by Ellen Pompeo), who eventually became his wife in the series, was also featured. Immediately following the airing, Dempsey took to Twitter to air out his emotions.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor stated that he believed that this was done at the right time, but acknowledged that he understands the reactions from fans. "Shepherd is a beloved character. People don't want to lose him. He's been in their lives for over 10 years. But it goes on, and it will evolve."

The actor said that he knew of his character's fate as early as February. The discussion to his exit happened quickly.

Meanwhile, ABC has issued a statement saying that the actor has decided to "pursue other interests," downplaying rumors that his character was killed off because Rhimes and Dempsey had been constantly in disagreement over his absences. He has been missing in a large part of this season's episodes.

"Grey's Anatomy" has been on ABC for 11 years, and many of its original stars have since left the show.

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