Are you sitting down? Insiders reveal that three-time Emmy winner Rick Hearst (Ric) is telling people he’s more than likely leaving GH when his contract expires. Let’s pray GL lures him back to reprise Alan-Michael Spaulding. For now, Hearst is enjoying a vacation before he returns to work. In other contract news, Steve Burton (Jason) and Maurice Benard (Sonny) tell Soap Opera Digest they aren’t sure if they’ll sign on for another cycle as daytime’s most popular closeted lovers. Burton said, Don’t ask me [if I’ll re-sign]; while Benard confessed: If you asked me a month ago, I would have said no about re-signing. ABC doesn’t comment on rumours.

Liason fans aren’t going to like this one bit: Rebecca Herbst (Liz) reportedly went to the writers and requested a Jason and Liz break-up because she feels they’ve stalled. Herbst is not a diva this is the first time she has ever asked anything from the scribes, reports the spy.

Florian Klein debuts Aug. 6 as a new, mysterious member of Port Charles’ Russian drug mafia. “I don’t speak a word of Russian,” says Klein. Hey, it’s OK  neither does Bob Guza.

Emmy winner Genie Francis’ first airdate is Aug. 26 when Lulu visits her mother, Laura at Shadybrook Hospital. ABC chief, Brian Frons tells Soap Opera Weekly to expect Francis back for two months. In the storyline, Lulu is fearful she’s inherited her mother’s bad luck until Laura comes out of her catatonic state to say, ’Don’t worry, Lulu. It will all be OK.’ That will send shivers down all our backs and help straighten that all out, which will be terrific,” previews Frons. Expect Tony Geary (Luke) to return from his summer vacation in time for Francis’ mini-comeback.

Don’t be surprised if you see Josh Duhon (ex-Logan) on another west coast soap soon, whispers Soap Opera Digest.

Is Tyler Christopher (Nikolas) the new Elizabeth Taylor? Groomzilla was once engaged to Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda); married and divorced Eva Longoria, dated his former co-star Natalie Livingston (ex-Emily) for eons, and now has popped the question to Indiana sports reporter, Brienne Pedigo. The couple will wed on Sept 27.