The Bold and the Beautiful made a long overdue update to its opening credits this week, but it wasn't what was added to the credits that had fans buzzing. No, it was who was missing: Darin Brooks (Wyatt Spencer).
"So, many of you have seen that I am no longer in the credits on [The Bold and the Beautiful] and after 10 amazing years, it's time for me to say 'Until we meet again...' to Wyatt Spencer... (Doesn't mean its the end, just... bye for now," Brooks wrote in a post on Instagram.
In was June 21, 2013, when Brooks made his memorable, eye-popping debut on B&B.
"My character, Wyatt, is first seen in the nude taking a solar shower out in the woods. Hope stumbles across him and takes his picture on her smartphone and Wyatt catches her," Brooks previewed at the time.
In the years that followed, Wyatt had some memorable romances, including those with Steffy, Hope, Katie (pizza, anyone?), and, most recently, Flo. He became an integral part of the Spencer family. Brooks made sure to thank his Spencer men co-stars in his message.
"To the Spencer men, Scott [Clifton] and Don [Diamont], you're like family to me in real life so I'll see ya soon (off set)," he continued with an added winking emoji after the sentence.
In a reply to Brooks's post, Diamont indicated that he was caught off guard by his on-screen son's exit.
"WHAAATTT!!!! I had no idea! You're not just another actor. You interpret material with originality! The interaction of the Spencer men is not to be taken for granted. That material is lifted off the page, and turned into what the audience sees with your individual, and exceptional interpretation both dramatically and comedically, and with what the three of us create interacting as a team. You know I love you as an actor, and a person! I am broken hearted," Diamont wrote.
Brooks also thanked show execs and the behind-the-scenes team for making his time at B&B so memorable.
"Honestly, I have to thank the big man, [executive producer and head writer] Brad Bell, for having me, you seriously changed my life man! Love and appreciate you, always! The experiences, the trips, the memories, the friendships... All will forever hold a special place in my heart," Brooks wrote. "To all the cast and crew, too many people to mention but just know... I LOVE YOU ALL and thank you for everything!!! ❤️ A HUGE Thank you to [CBS] for letting me be a part of your daytime family!!"
Brooks's real-life wife, Kelly Kruger (Eva, B&B; Mackenzie Browning, The Young and the Restless) replied to Brooks's post and commented on all the "great memories" that they'd made over the previous decade.
"So proud of you babe! And what great memories we have in the last 10 years. A lot of big life moments shared with the B&B family," Kruger shared.
Brooks made his daytime debut as Max Brady on Days of our Lives in June 2005. He remained with the show through a full contract cycle before opting to exit the show in June 2009. He did return to the soap for two episodes in 2010.
During his time on Days of our Lives, Brooks received two Outstanding Younger Actor Daytime Emmy nominations. In 2009, he took home the trophy, which was Days of our Lives' first in the category in 21 years.
Upon leaving Days of our Lives in June 2009, Brooks headed to Montreal to work on the pilot for a sitcom called Blue Mountain State. The pilot tested successfully, and the series was picked up for three seasons.
Brooks's most recent -- and presumably final -- appearance on B&B was Friday, September 8. It's not known how the show will address his exit in story.
How do you feel about Darin Brooks exiting The Bold and the Beautiful? Do you think there was more story to tell for Wyatt? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
