By now, most fans of The Young and the Restless know that Tricia Cast, who has played Nina since 1986, will be leaving the show. However, there's talk that when Cast goes she may not be going alone.

Tricia Cast will last tape scenes as Nina the week of December 18th, when the show takes its annual holiday break. She will continue to appear on-screen through January. The role will not be recast.

Departure rumors have now begun to swirl around Cast's on-screen beau, Francesco Quinn (Tomas Del Cerro). There are published reports that Quinn's days with the show are numbered, though the actor hopes that he can stick around Genoa City for at least a little while longer.

"I'd love to stay," says Quinn, "but [write outs] are part of the business."

Seeking a definitive answer, Quinn went to Y&R head writer Kay Alden to ask about his character's future. Alden refused to reveal any part of Tomas's future storylines. A spokesperson for the show decline comment on the reports.