Rachel Melvin To Depart "DAYS" This Spring

Rachel Melvin will exit "Days of Our Lives" at the conclusion of her contract this spring.

Salem is losing another resident this spring. Rachel Melvin, who has played Chelsea since 2005, will depart "Days of Our Lives" at the conclusion of her contract this spring. This comes as somewhat of a surprise, as Melvin was once quoted as saying she would be happy to stay at "Days of Our Lives" forever. Melvin joins a long list of actors leaving the show recently. Over the past couple months, "DAYS" has fired fan favorites Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn, Thaao Penghlis, Mary Beth Evans and Stephen Nichols. Melvin is the only contract cast member thus far to voluntarily leave.

"I called her and applauded her move," said Executive Producer Ken Corday to Soap Opera Digest. The EP went on say he told Rachel the door would be open for her return. Corday says he told the actress, "It’s time for you to spread your wings and I want to see you in feature films and big television."

Rachel joined "Days of Our Lives" in 2005. Originally the character was just a friend to Abby (ex-Ashley Benson). It was later revealed she was the adopted child of the Benson Family and really the long lost daughter of Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) and Billie Reed (Julie Pinson). Chelsea was not a fan of Hope, Bo’s wife. Melvin shined in the story where Chelsea, who had barely received her driver’s license, accidentally killed her half brother Zack.  Though Chelsea was responsible, she hid this fact from everyone for quite some time. Eventually, she came clean and all was forgiven.

Prior to joining "DAYS," Melvin was featured in national commercials. She also had small roles on "8 Simple Rules," "Jack & Bobby" and "Summerland." The actress earned a Daytime Emmy nomination last year for Outstanding Younger Actress.

TVSource Magazine wishes Melvin the very best, and hope we’ll see her in other projects very soon.