David Tom: 'Too Young' to Play Billy Abbott Again?

David Tom

David Tom returned to The Young and the Restless in February as Billy Abbott, a role for which he won an Emmy Award in 2000. Now he is being replaced by Burgess Jenkins as Billy, in a move that was a surprise to Tom.

"I think I was definitely well-liked there," Tom told CBS Soaps in Depth. "As far as I knew, nobody knew about this. Not even the cast." Was he given a reason for his termination? "One of the reasons they said they let me go is that I obviously looked too young when they placed me with [the new] Kelly. Well, she was hired after I was. I don't understand why they didn't think about that [when they were casting her]. We don't really have a storyline [anyway]; She's with Jack. I thought I looked fine with Missy [Claire Egan, Chelsea]. I really loved working with her."

Despite his unexpected exit, Tom is grateful for his return trip to Genoa City.

"It was such a great experience to have been a part of the Y&R family again," Tom added. "It was wonderful to see so many old friends and people I know that I used to work with and enjoy so much like Jess Walton (Jill) and Peter Bergman (Jack). I got to do some scenes with Eric Braeden (Victor), finally."

Other Stories Recommended by Our Editors:
* 'The Young and Restless' Casting Carousel Continues (Gina Tognoni & Burgess Jenkins In, David Tom Out): Why David Tom Deserved a Better Chance at Success
* Burgess Jenkins on Joining 'The Young and the Restless' as the New Billy Abbott: "This Was a Wonderful Character with Interesting Layers"