Martha Byrne Exits As the World Turns

This totally sucks. Procter & Gamble has confirmed that two-time Emmy winner Martha Byrne will soon exit As the World Turns. Other websites are reporting that the fan fave - who plays Lily Snyder - nixed an insulting offer to re-sign her contract. Not so, claims the soap's executive producer Chris Goutman. "We made Martha an incredibly generous offer in hopes that she would remain a valuable member of the ATWT cast," Goutman says in a statement. "Unfortunately, Martha has decided to leave despite our best efforts to keep her."

Those close to the situation swear that's no baloney. "When Goutman says 'generous,' he means it - the offer was generous by anyone's standards," insists one longtime staffer. "I don't know what else the show could have done for Martha."

The actress, who is still taping episodes, will be off the air by April. Word is, a recast is likely. - Michael Logan