Last year, fans of The Young and the Restless breathed a sigh of relief when Emmy winner Billy J. Miller (Billy Abbott) and show executives were able to come to a last-minute agreement on a new contract.

Now, a year later, there is talk that the actor will be leaving the show -- and that this time there will be no twelfth hour reprieve.

Soap Opera Digest reports that Miller will exit the top-rated CBS soap when his contract expires in August. The role of Billy Abbott will be recast.

During last year's protracted contract talks, one of the sticking points was reportedly Miller's desire to be able to do projects other than The Young and the Restless. Miller did get the chance to branch out. He appeared in a recurring role on the CW's primetime drama, Ringer.

Miller began his daytime run in 2007 on ABC's All My Children. Miller debuted on The Young and the Restless in September 2008, becoming the fourth actor in six years to play the role of Billy. In 2010, Miller earned his first Daytime Emmy, winning the Outstanding Supporting Actor trophy. He was nominated in the category again last year.

CBS does not comment on contracts or contract talks.