GENERAL Hospital star Rick Hearst has apologized to fans for a major mix-up in scheduling for his return to the soap opera.

It was announced last month that Rick would be reprising his role on the long-running show, which he left in 2016.

Rick had been encouraging fans to tune into Monday’s episode to see his character, Ric Lansing, back on the show.

However, fans were scratching their heads when Monday’s episode came and went, and Rick didn’t appear.

The TV star addressed the mishap in a video on Instagram, admitting he mixed up the dates.

“I got the dates wrong. My bad,” Rick confessed.

He then told fans to keep tuning into the series as his return is expected to air sometime this week, though he wouldn’t share exactly when this time.

“I’m not going to give you definitives because I don’t want to stick my foot in my mouth again,” the New York native added.

‘CAN’T WAIT!’

In the comments, fans expressed their excitement for Rick’s return to the program.

“The week of Ric Lansing!! I love it cause he deserves his own week and not just a day,” one person wrote.

“So incredibly excited you’re back. Can’t wait for Ric to stir things up again in Port Charles,” said another.

“GH has been so great lately. You coming back is the icing on the cake,” a third added.

“I’m so excited for your return!!! Whenever it maybe. Lol,” a fourth joked, while a fifth chimed in, “We are ready and pumped!”

At the end of July, Soap Opera Digest revealed that Rick was back on set and had begun filming.

They also noted that Rick’s episodes were expected to air this week.

Rick had long been a part of the General Hospital family, as he took on the role of Ric in 2002.

He was a regular on the series until 2009.

Although fans haven’t seen his character in a while, Rick has taken breaks before, only to return in later seasons.

In 2007, Rick briefly left the show to undergo throat surgery, and Nick Kiriazis filled in for him.

He returned in 2014 before departing again two years later.

CAST CHANGES

Rick’s reappearance on the show is not the only significant cast shakeup in recent weeks.

The ABC drama also welcomed back Emma Samms, who was last on the show in 2023, and Bryan Craig’s character is also returning to Port Charles.

Additionally, newcomers Jordan Murphy and Gita Reddy have been added to the cast.

General Hospital airs on ABC on weekdays at 2 pm Eastern and the following day on Hulu.