Nicollette Sheridan

Nicollette Sheridan

Nicollette Sheridan's exit from the hit show is permanent by Desperate Housewives bosses - her character will be killed off during a dramatic finale.

ABC executives announced last week (begs09Feb09) Sheridan, who plays Wisteria Lane's resident man-eater Edie Britt, would be written out of the show in the forthcoming season.

Rumours of Sheridan's departure have been rampant for two years, following a storyline in which her character appeared to commit suicide.

A source tells America's Us Weekly magazine, "They are killing her off. There is no chance she'll return."

Another source adds, "There are no hard feelings - it wasn't a dramatic decision."

Sheridan has been with the show since it debuted in 2004.