ISAIAH WASHINGTON - WASHINGTON JOINS FORMER CASTMATES ON THE PICKET LINE

Former GREY'S ANATOMY star ISAIAH WASHINGTON showed he has no hard feelings about his departure from the medical drama when he joined his ex-castmates on the writers' strike picket lines on Wednesday (12Dec07). The actor, who was sacked from the show in the aftermath of an on-set argument, in which he referred to gay people as `faggots', surprised many when he showed up unannounced to support protestors in their sixth week on strike. And, to show he was truly in the festive spirit, he made a point of hugging Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes, who fired him earlier this year (07). Washington said, "We need to come out and stick together." And even former co-star T.R. Knight, who was forced to reveal all about his sexuality after Washington's comments went public last year (06), was pleased to see the actor. He said, "The more people that can come out and support this the better."