Jess Walton, who has portrayed Y&R's Jill Abbott Fenmore since 1987, is leaving the show — but only for a six-month hiatus. The news of her exit was first reported by Nelson Branco on Twitter. "The reason she is taking a break is because her son and his wife and are expecting a baby and Jess wants to be around for the birth of her first grandchild," states her publicist, Charles Sherman, whose client recently moved to Oregon. "There are a lot of false rumors going around that she is gone for good but Jess is absolutely coming back. She talked it out with [Executive Producer/Head Writer] Maria Bell and Maria is fine with this arrangement. Jess's last day of working on the set is on April 3 but she will be back."

http://www.soapopera.../yrs-walton-out

I'm glad Maria is giving her time to spend with her family. I will miss Jill.

She resigned her contract last month anyway, glad she's taking time for her family and that she'll be back.

Very interesting that she's with Charles Sherman!

Very interesting that she's with Charles Sherman!

Why's that??

Almost had a heart attack with this.

Hope Sherman is good and represents his client adequately. I am glad this is only temporary but I will miss her presence.

I'm sure Maria is more than happy to see her go (if only temporarily), considering she has no interest in Jill, other than to humiliate her.

I'm sure Maria is more than happy to see her go (if only temporarily), considering she has no interest in Jill, other than to humiliate her.

I was going to say... it doesn't sound like MAB was too put out by this temporary leave of absence.

Can you imagine if La Stafford wanted to leave? Panic stations!

Does anyone else think that Jess is going under the knife and looking for an excuse for recovery time? It seems like a publicist spin if I ever heard one.

Edited April 2, 201213 yr by AMCHistory

Tristan Rogers tapes tomorrow April 3, which is Jess' last tape date for six months. Calling it now: Colin Kidnaps Jill

Does anyone else think that Jess is going under the knife and looking for an excuse for recovery time? It seems like a publicist spin if I ever heard one.

Wow didn't think of that but I can see it. Taking 6 months off for a both that is not your own is bizarre

Well, I hope that either this story is true, or that the plastic surgery story is true.....I just hope that she isn't ill and this is a coverup for that

6 months without Jill?

This is going to be a new thing every year. A random vet is just going to be "MIA" for a long period of time. First MTS, now Jess.

I agree that if Giggly (Michelle) were to leave, Maria would disgustingly do everything she could to keep her.

Does anyone else think that Jess is going under the knife and looking for an excuse for recovery time? It seems like a publicist spin if I ever heard one.

I would not be surprised if this is true. The whole thing seems odd to me. Six months a lot of time off for the birth of a grandchild. I mean, is she planning to be a live in nanny? Something else has got to be going on here, even if it is not plastic surgery. It could be another health issue that she is trying to keep private.

Edited April 2, 201213 yr by Ann_SS

She also doesn't live in LA/California anymore.

So she's basically a commuting actress, she must partly want to enjoy life in Oregon for a while.

She also doesn't live in LA/California anymore.

So she's basically a commuting actress, she must partly want to enjoy life in Oregon for a while.

O wow I didn't know that . Thanks. It will be no big loss sadly. Jill hasn't had a story for years