'Grey's Anatomy' star Katherine Heigl has decided not to put her name forward for this year's Emmy Awards, fuelling speculation that she is unhappy about her storylines on this year's show.
In a statement to Tom O'Neil, columnist for the Los Angeles Times' showbiz awards website TheEnvelope.com, Heigl said: "I did not feel that I was given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination, and in an effort to maintain the integrity of the academy organisation, I withdrew my name from contention."
The 29-year-old actress continued: "In addition, I did not want to potentially take away an opportunity from an actress who was given such materials."
Heigl won the Best Supporting Actress Emmy last year for her performance as Dr Izzie Stevens, beating co-stars Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson to the award.
But despite the win, Heigl's character had a lower profile in the latest series of 'Grey's Anatomy'.
This year's Emmy nominees will be announced on 17 July.
There was no comment on Heigl's decision from the makers of 'Grey's Anatomy'.
For more on 'Grey's Anatomy', read our blog here.
