WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Grey's Anatomy.

Dr Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) was an iconic character in Grey's Anatomy and was often referred to as "McDreamy".

He had an on and off relationship with Dr Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) until they settled down in season five.

The pair then legally got married in series eight so they could adopt their daughter Zola.

For the next few seasons, it seemed they had the perfect little family but this was destroyed in 2015.

READ MORE:Grey's Anatomy: What happened to April Kepner?

In season 11, episode 21, called How to Save A Life, Derek was on his way to Washington to quit a brain-mapping project.

While making his way there, he sees a car accident and stops to help.

He manages to save not only a young girl and her mother but another couple who was involved in the crash.

Believing his duty had been done, Derek got back in the car to continue his journey.

But just moments later, Derek's car was hit by a truck and he was subsequently rushed to hospital.

Talking to People magazine in 2015, actor Dempsey opened up about leaving the show as he wanted to have more "control" of his time.

Dempsey said: "Im very grateful for Greys Anatomy.

"Its given me the opportunity to do everything. But at the same time, there was a cost.

"I think after a certain period of time, no matter how much money you make, you want control out of your own schedule."

He then explained a year later to the same publication: "It had been long enough. It was time for me to move on with other things and other interests.

"I probably should have moved on a couple of years earlier."

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Grey's Anatomy: What happened to Derek Shepherd? Why did Patrick Dempsey leave? - Express.co.uk