Richard Burgi Says He Was Fired From ‘Y&R’ Over ‘Inadvertent’ COVID Violation
Soap star Richard Burgi is revealing that he’s been fired from CBS‘s daytime drama The Young and the Restless.
The actor who played Ashland Locke in the show took to Instagram where he shared the news of his employment status with fans via an Instagram Story video. In it, he got candid about how he “naively and inadvertently violated the show’s Covid policy.”
The policy the actor refers to is the amount of time anyone on the show’s set must spend recuperating after testing positive for Covid. After traveling to the East coast to see family over the holidays, Burgi caught Covid and tested positive.
(Credit: Richard Burgi via Instagram)
Instead of following the show’s 10-day policy of isolating before returning to work, Burgi claims he unknowingly adhered to the CDC’s latest 5-day policy guideline. He also revealed that he had tested negative for Covid twice before stepping back onto the set, but that still doesn’t change his violation as the actor said, “I inadvertently violated the show’s Covid rules and protocols.”
“I felt terrible about it,” the actor shared in his video message to fans. “I still do. It bothers me mightily but it is what it is. I respect whatever the show’s decision is. They’re doing the best they can, as we all are.”
Prior to Burgi revealing the reason for his departure, he shared the news that he’d be leaving The Young and the Restless via social media. Currently, Robert Newman is slated to take over the role left behind by Burgi as he steps into the character of Ashland Locke beginning February.
“I truly wish the gentleman who’s coming in to play Ashland a wonderful time,” Burgi said of passing the role to Newman. Along with being known for The Young and the Restless, Burgi is also known for his roles in titles including General Hospital and Desperate Housewives among others.
The Young and the Restless, Weekdays, 12:30/11:30c, CBS
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P
This is preposterous. They couldn’t have given this guy a break? The CDC had to reduce the guidance to five days, yet the show was slow on the uptake and kept at at 10. This is patently ridiculous.
But it looks like the actor could have really cared less. Maybe he wanted out of the show in the first place? he didn’t seem to fight back at all. Interesting.
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O
Typical ViacomCBS garbage. Fired for testing negative twice and following CDC guidance? Obviously, CBS knows best on quarantine times. Sorry Richard. You will find something better...
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Does CBS make people quarantine after they have the flu? It's about the same. Hardly anyone is dying from Covid, especially Omicron. Have they even bothered to update their policy? I see the NCAA is now saying any college athletes who had Covid and didn't even get vaccinated will be considered fully vaccinated and won't even need to be tested. Every group seems to have their own policy now. A really dumb reason to fire someone over. Just let them know our policy is different than the CDC's. You'd think CBS could at least have someone in charge of this stuff though. Their job should be to make sure nobody comes back to work too soon.
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Why wasn’t there a better protocol in place for everyone at CBS so they were checked back to work by HR or someone who knew their policy? Leaving it up to the actors was stupid to begin with and now this guy paid the price. I think he should take legal action against CBS.
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I think CBS should adhere to the most current guidelines, just as Mr. Burgi did, and let him continue his great job on the Y&R! To fire him was over the top. Shame on CBS!
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B
Letting him go is stupid. He and Mark are the best on the show. Such stupidity.
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G
CBS, should have gone by latest CDC guidelines. Stop changing characters.
This guy looked and played the part. A perfect match for Victoria. Wow,this seems unfair. He tested negative so what is the problem CBS?
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I won’t be watching the show anymore and neither will several of my friends, he followed CDC guidelines which is much more important than CBS guidelines I would think that CDC knows a hell of a lot more than CBS …. goodbye!!!!
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G
It’s very hard to support the decision that CBS has made. I loved Burgi in the Ashland Locke role.
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O
One more thought, contract's can be broken. Why should viewers suffer for your ignorance ?
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R
Richard Burgi was a perfect actor to play Ashland Locke, and spot on perfect as a handsome, dashing manipulating narcissist to woo and be pitted against the Victoria Newman character. I think the show's decision of firing Burgi is nonsense and they're using him as a scapegoat. Replacing Burgi with Robert Newnan of all people? Former "Josh" on the Guiding Light?
Newman doesn't have the "Posh" to pull off the Locke character.
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I am so upset that Richard Burgi, (Ashland Locke) has been fired. He was so perfect in his role as Victorias husband. I have been so tempted to just stop watching young and the restless after many years. Basically I don’t like the storyline. One thing though that I am happy about is that after how many months you finally got a real life baby for Abby and Chance. A fake baby just didn’t cut it.
So bring back Richard Burgi is Ashland OR I FOR ONE WILL NOT WATCH YOUR SOAP ANY LONGER.
IM DONE UNLESS……..
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R
I’m so very disappointed that Richard Burgi was fired from Yand R. He could have been reprimanded in numerous ways , but to fire a very popular actor and ruin the storyline and connection with Victoria spoils it for me ! Why do you think women watch these soaps ? Yand R will lose more fans with this poor decision .
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O
Crazy. Liked Richard better since he had a good connection with Victoria on show. Kill the new one off sorry Victoria…agree with comments that losing to many characters on this show.
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I don’t know how things are done at CBS, but on my job we have to go through Occupational Health before returning to work. Once they’ve confirmed that we’re negative and quarantined for the correct amount of time they release us to go back to work. CBS needs to have a system like this so that there will not be any doubts about the protocol.
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I have been watching the Y & R since 1973. I even record it to make sure I never miss an episode. I really liked the Ashland Locke character. He had class and a new face that fit in perfectly was a welcomed change. I was delighted when I read he had signed a long term contract. I must say, I have been disappointed so many times for example when they fired Billy Miller and the last Adam before the current actor. Also, what they did to the character of Paul Willians after he was on for 40 years. But, I think I am finally cured from my addiction of Y & R since they have let Richard Burgi go for such a minor infraction that wasn’t even done on purpose. What a lousy group of people to work for. He actually tested negative before coming back and we were told we needed to follow the science. The CDC changed quarantine to 5 days and it’s even been reported that only 10 people have died from the Omicron variant. This has been so unfair. I do not intend to watch this show ever again. I am done!!! They will probably keep the vaccine mandate even after the Supreme Court ruled against it. It’s not possible for an unvaccinated person can give you Covid unless you have Covid to give. The vaccinated can also give you Covid if they have it and they can still get it even if they have been vaccinated. So what’s the difference? The rules have become ridiculous. No one is actually following the science.
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Both my children vaxxed and boostered. Both got covid. Are they trying to ruin the show?
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C
As a life-long watcher of the show, I never really bought Burgi playing Victoria’s love interest. I thought maybe it was the character and not the actor, but with Robert Newman, there seems to be much better chemistry. I am glad he was replaced, whatever the reason. And very happy to see “Josh” on screen again too!
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C
Interesting, I thought there must be more to the story.
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“The 1991 Persian Gulf War was, according to President Bush, about ‘more than one small country; it is a big idea; a new world order’.”
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P
Covid is NOT like the Flu! Those who think it is are uniformed. The actor was not fired simply for breaking protocol. He caused trouble behind the scenes as well.
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G
I really like Richard Burgi playing the role.. and it was ridiculous that he was actually fired over this!! Wow.
Now I do happen to also like the new Ashland Locke from Guiding Light~ He plays a meaner Ashland Locke. I kinda can “hate” him more during this role on show. The old Ashland I would want him to have been innocent… but the new Ashland, I can see him playing a better guilty character.. so it’s kinda half & half for me~ I dunno?
I still love Y&R & will continue to watch.. I won’t quit watching after all these year’s ~ hooked to too many of the characters!! LOL 😂
Maybe they will bring back our original handsome character before too long???!!?
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O
Forget that... bring back Reva's undead ghost!
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G
What a horrible decision! There was such class with Richard Burgi. I hated to see him go, it's enough to make you STOP watching R&R!
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Ridiculous, I will not be watching the show any longer. Poor decision on CBS
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O
Beyond furious ..... I am no longer going to view Y&R. Firing actors for covid is beyond ridiculous. The new Ash sucks
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P
More Sally and Adam. Less Billly and lily. Talk about Zzzzz.
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I am sad that he was fired from the show. His character was a nice addition to the show. My personal opinion is if he was able to show two negative Covid results, they shouldn’t have fired him. Bring him back! It will take time to get used to the new character, but change happens!
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I loved his character. Him and Victoria were a good match although I’m sure he’s shady. Newman just fit the part right now for me. Covid isolation did go from 10-5 days so, I think the show was a little hard on him.
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I Agree.
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CBS has been a total joke throughout this covid drama.Y & R should be ashamed of themselves. If Mr Burgi had been testing positive when returning- then I would understand their adherence to a 10 day policy. But he was being a good citizen and maintaining what he thought were actual cdc instructions. He said he was sorry and if not malicious- then why not cut him some slack? You judged wrong. 😡
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Loved Burgi, don’t care for the new Ashland. He doesn’t fit the role at all, nothing personal to the actor but he just looks too old for Victoria. Recast him please. I think it’s ridiculous that the cdc says 5 days but y&r says 10 but he tested negative twice before returning. Clearly he was fine and therefore so was everyone else. Bad move y&r!!!!
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It’s awful …however I’m excited to see Josh back on the screen from guiding light days ..and he is much more for
Victoria..and nice eye candy ..maybe we can bring back reva aka Kim zimmer
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Who wants to be led by a bunch of scared liberals? Too stupid to figure out our Biden administration is trying to destroy our democracy in any way it can. No worries! A new world order probably won’t allow us non- elite to watch television 🙄. Good luck America!
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You are right on target! This show sucks more everyday as do the liberals destroying California. Didn’t know people good be so stupid.
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I totally agree. I have been watching it that long too, maybe too long for this to affect me so badly. I really liked Ashland's character and he had something special going on with Victoria; a rapport and closeness not often seen in couples. I also tape the shows and tried to stop watching at one point but came back. However, I think this just did it for me. He was tall, handsome, and fit the part perfectly. This is the 2nd year of the Pandemic, give the actor some leeway. OMG he is new to the Y & R and everyone liked him. Mistakes are made but forgiven. Rules are made and then broken or changed the next day. It is hard to keep track. Our Finance Minister went on a trip and was fired and then hired back. It is a very stressful time for everyone. Forgive the guy for heavens sake. You just got a new chance. (I liked the last one better by the way). You cannot keep changing the show and replacing everyone. It changes the entire show. Not sure if I will continue watching after this ridiculous stunt.
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