Another blow for Ejami fans. On the heels of Alison Sweeney's (Sami) announcement that she's exiting Days of Our Lives, comes more bad news. James Scott taped his last episode as EJ DiMera on May 2, 2014.

Luckily for fans, however,  the character won't be bidding adieu to Salem for a while. Due to the show's advanced production schedule, Scott and EJ will air into the fall.

Soap Opera Digest first reported the story of Scott's stunning departure, which included a statement from NBC/Corday Productions.

It noted that the powers-that-be are "saddened but supportive" of Scott's decision to take some personal time off and purse new projects.

In a statement of his own, Scott thanked NBC, Sony and Corday -- making special mention of Executive Producer Ken Corday -- for an "amazing" run on Days of Our Lives and acknowledged his loyal fan base. "I can’t begin to express my gratitude for your love and support over the years. I will miss you immensely," said the actor.

Scott joined Days in May 2006, after being abruptly written off All My Children, where he played Ethan Cambias. (The character was killed off the show.)

"I did pilot season in New York and at the end of it I got a phone call from the casting office at Days," explained Scott at the time. "[The show] had this role they felt I would be right for... I was still under contract with All My Children, so I had to ask them if they would release me from it. Very graciously and very kindly they did, and I'm very grateful for that."

At the time he signed with Days the details on race car driver EJ Wells, the character's original alias, were scarce.

"I didn’t know a tremendous amount about the character. They didn’t tell me much information," admitted Scott. "But the race car driver is quite a cool role. What’s interesting is, by extension, this guy enjoys danger. He has great confidence. He’s used to living in highly stressful situations."

As soon as Scott began playing the diabolical role and it was revealed that he was really EJ DiMera, son of omnipotent villain Stefano DiMera, he became even more  taken with him.

"EJ is a smart guy," said Scott. "He always considers himself to be thinking faster and further ahead of anybody else he’s with and able to perceive situations they cannot. It gives him confidence when he's talking to people, because he feels that he can see through them. He considers self to be so much smarter than them."

During his eight year run on Days, Scott received two Daytime Emmy Award nominations (for Outstanding Lead Actor in 2010 and 2011) and became one of the show's most popular leading men. He will be greatly missed.

Photo Courtesy: NBC/Mitchell Haaseth