Shonda Rhimes slams 'Scandal' rumors, won't replace Columbus Short

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Shonda Rhimes found herself involved in another scandal this week after she shut down rumors on social media.

Earlier this week, entertainment site Deadine.com reported that the character played by Columbus Short on ABC’s hit show Scandal will be replaced by another young black actor named Eric West.

Short was fired from the show following his arrest in March where he was charged with battery after an alleged bar fight. Short’s estranged wife has since also come forward and claims that Short threatened to kill her — and himself.

Scandal fans have been eager to find out what will happen to the role Short played on Scandal as one of Kerry Washington’s (aka Olivia Pope’s) closest confidants, Harrison Wright.

Well, after Deadline reported that West would replace him, Rhimes took to Twitter to dispel the rumor:

https://twitter.com/shondarhimes/status/464163416525922305

That tweet was retweeted over 1,000 times, and Deadline later released an update retracting their story. The site claimed its writer fell victim to a fake press release.

Nellie Andreeva of Deadline wrote:

“Sorry, Scandal fans. In the rush of upfront news, a release purported to be from ABC about an actor named Eric West, whose name had been circulated for weeks, replacing troubled Scandal co-star Columbus Short got to me. It turns out it was an elaborate hoax, which is very unfortunate. Scandal creator said on Twitter that she has never heard of West and there are no plans to recast Short.”

Scandal fans: Are you sad or relieved to hear that Rhimes doesn’t plan on recasting the role of Harrison Wright? Tell us your thoughts below.

Follow Lilly Workneh on Twitter @Lilly_Works