Shocker: Isaiah Washington back on ‘Grey’s’

You didn’t think Cristina Yang would leave without one last encounter with Preston Burke, did you?

Actually, you probably did. Back when “Grey’s Anatomy” was the hottest show on TV, the actor who played Burke, Isaiah Washington, got into a lot of hot water.

He used a gay slur to refer to then-co-star T.R. Knight. He was chastised by gay and lesbian groups and eventually written off the show by creator Shonda Rhimes.

So it’s more than a bit surprising that Burke is coming back.

ABC confirmed yesterday that Washington will guest star in a May sweeps episode as Sandra Oh, who plays Yang, readies to leave the show for good.

Burke left Yang at the altar during the show’s third-season finale, and Washington has not appeared on the program, now in season 10, since then.

ABC is surely hoping that the sweeps stunt sparks ratings for the drama, which is the network’s No. 3 show in adults 18-49.

Tags: abc, Grey's Anatomy, Isaiah Washington, isaiah washington grey's anatomy, sandra oh, sandra oh grey's anatomy