Grey’s Anatomy creator, Shonda Rhimes, has revealed that despite recent speculation Katherine Heigl is not leaving the show and will feature throughout the next series.

MSN quotes Rhimes as saying: “We have every intention of seeing Katherine for the entire season.”

Asked if the actress has expressed any desire to leave, Shonda said, “No, she has not.”

Rhimes also thinks that the new season of Greys will be better than the last as the writers strike gave her time to think and plan.

“It was the first time in four-and-a-half years I wasn’t working non-stop. It was a chance to sleep and clear my brain..I know what happens next for these characters in a way I hadn’t known before,” she said.