McDreamy Leaving Grey’s Anatomy

Just a week and a half after Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes told TVLine that the upcoming season “might be the final season for the (original cast members),” Patrick Dempsey aka McDreamy, tells the new issue of Italian Vanity Fair that season eight will be his last.

He says:

“I do not know what’s going to happen to the other characters, but for me it’s done.  (‘Grey’s Anatomy’ has) been great and a great part of my life, but I can’t see me doing it anymore.”

I don’t watch the show, but I know a lot of people that do. Is this super sad or can it go on without him?