Patrick Dempsey getting killed off in last week's episode of Grey's Anatomy was one of (if not the) biggest TV shocker of the season. Who would have expected that McDreamy would die so tragically? The TV world misses him already.

But the actual cast and crew of Grey's Anatomy might not miss Dempsey as much as those who watched him on TV every Thursday. According to a new rumor, Dempsey was killed off not because of the inherent drama in a major character death, but because Dempsey was acting unprofessional and series creator Shonda Rhimes wanted him gone. A source close to the series (via Mercury News) explains just why Dempsey was given the boot:

"He had been showing up late, and was holding up production because he couldn't remember his lines," the source revealed.

However, Grey's fans aren't taking this too well, to the point that they've begun a rather large petition to get Dempsey un-fired and McDreamy back on Grey's Anatomy. Via Hollywood Life, one fan made McDreamy's death out to be a legitimate life or death situation.

"You have people out here donating blood and organs trying to save lives, wanting to become doctors and all from committing to this television show..just to let us down like this. You've destroyed us. COMPLETELY!" claims one irate fan. Clearly, this person's blowing things out of proportion, but that's just how much people loved the show and the character.

Shonda Rhimes also released a statement after the episode with McDreamy's death aired- and it doesn't sound like she killed him off out of spite, but you never know.

"Patrick Dempsey's performance shaped Derek in a way that I know we both hope became a meaningful example-happy, sad, romantic, painful and always true-of what young women should demand from modern love. His loss will be felt by all. Now, Meredith and the entire Grey's Anatomy family are about to enter uncharted territory as we head into this new chapter of her life. The possibilities for what may come are endless. As Ellis Grey would say: the carousel never stops turning."

What do you think? Will the fans win out and get their favorite character back? Is Shonda Rhimes' word law on ABC? Will Dempsey's bad behavior make the whole debate a moot point?