by Dan J Kroll

Posted Monday, June 13, 2005 9:03:27 PM

Updated Wednesday, July 06, 2005 5:47:39 PM

With McCarty opting to leave, what should Passions do with Beth? I hope McCarty's exit doesn't spell doom for Kathleen Noone. 48% Beth's usefulness has been exhausted. Write her out. 30% I loved Kelli's work as Beth. NBC needs to get her back. 13% I think Beth can be given new life by recasting the role. 3% It doesn't matter to me what is done with Beth. 3% Other 2% Poll Posted: June 13, 2005

After a six-year run with Passions, Kelli McCarty (Beth Wallace) has announced that she will exit the soap this summer. This will mark the third change in the actress' status with the NBC soap.

McCarty, who was crowned Miss USA in 1991, joined the cast of Passions in 1999. At the time, McCarty appeared in recurring capacity. The actress won praise from network execs and the show eventually extended her a contract offer. In September 2002, McCarty was inked to a contract with the show. Two years later, the actress dropped to recurring status - where she has been ever since.

"[Show execs] gave me the thumbs-up to pack up and get out of there, so that's what I'm doing," McCarty revealed.

McCarty revealed that she has already filmed her last in-studio scenes. However, that doesn't mean that fans have seen the last of the actress.

"We have two days on location next month, but [May 27th] was my official last day on-set."

When McCarty was downgraded to recurring status last year, her on-screen mother, Kathleen Noone (Edna Wallace) was also taken off contract. With McCarty exiting the show, it was initially unclear how Noone's future with the program with be affected. It has since been revealed that Noone will also exit the show.

McCarty's final airdate is July 15th.