One of the very best episodes of Seinfeld involves curmudgeon George Costanza quitting his job, regretting it immediately, then coming back into work the next day, pretending it didn't happen – much to his employer's confusion.

Now, we're not saying that the following stars did that – only that they probably wanted to. What follows is a list of all the times actors quit hit shows, before eventually coming back for a whole host of reasons (let's face it, mainly money).

1. Patrick Duffy (Dallas)

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Poor old Patrick Duffy. Having become bored of playing Bobby Ewing on the hit soap Dallas, Duffy decided to leave the show to stretch his thespian legs. The producers, presumably annoyed, killed the character off in a spectacular car crash.

Cut to a year later, Dallas's ratings were dropping while Duffy struggled to find a gig as successful as Dallas. So Duffy returned via the medium of an 'it was all a dream' twist.

The show somehow managed to air for another five years, but this narrative backtrack has become legendary for its lameness.

2. David Duchovny (The X-Files)

The X-Files was Mulder and Scully. Their relationship and chemistry was as much of a draw for fans as the aliens and monsters they investigated.

Sadly, David Duchovny decided he didn't want to be as big a part of season eight, and Mulder was abducted by aliens. He appeared in 12 episodes of season eight, and a mere two episodes of season nine.

Duchovny's absence made a huge difference, and the show was cancelled – returning for a tenth season years later, in 2016. Thankfully, Duchovny changed his mind about his level of participation, appearing in every episode of the new series.

3. Colton Cumbie (Survivor)

Colton Cumbie quit Survivor: One World in 2012, which was a relief for everyone annoyed by his chaotic character – which included his fellow contestants, host Jeff Probst, and basically half the audience.

Still, he was apparently entertaining enough for the producers to forgive him and ask him to return for a new format, 2013's Survivor: Blood vs. Water.

Cumbie came onto the show promising he had changed. He hadn't. Cumbie quit the show a second time – which really annoyed Probst, who called him out for his behaviour.

4. Sherry Stringfield (ER)

When Sherry Stringfield decided to quit ER during its third season, she still had two years to go on her contract. But she was determined to depart – having tired of fame, she craved 'a normal life'.

To get around the impasse, the producers allowed her to sign a 'no-work' agreement that would give her the normal life she wanted, while ensuring she didn't end up on a competing show for the duration of her original contract.

After many years away, Stringfield finally returned to ER, staying for a further four seasons before deciding to leave again.

5. Shelley Long (Cheers)

After five years of Cheers, Shelley Long got fed up of hanging around with boozers and decided to leave the show (actually, it was mainly to pursue movies and raise her daughter, but still, who wants to go home smelling like a pub every night?).

Kirstie Alley replaced her, and the show went from strength to strength. Still, there were no hard feelings, with Long returning for the show's finale, as well as three special guest spots on spin-off Frasier.

6. Tina Fey (Saturday Night Live)

Tina Fey left Saturday Night Live in 2010, after 13 years as a writer and cast member, to develop 30 Rock (which very much feels 'inspired' by her time on SNL).

Like many former stars, she returned to host the show. Unlike other former stars, she became the first female cast member to join the 'Five-Timers Club', an exclusive list of celebrities who've hosted SNL… you guessed it: five times.

From: Digital Spy