Last week it was announced that Shemar Moore, Victoria Rowell (ex-Ducilla Winters) and Mishael Morgan (Hilary Curtis Winters) would be returning to CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” for a planned tribute special honoring the late Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters), who died in early February. But who else is returning for the tribute? More importantly, who won’t be? Find out below!
As previously reported, Moore is reprising his role as Neil’s brother, Malcolm, for two episodes — Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26, 2019. As part of a storyline that kicks off with the Tuesday, April 23 episode, Neil’s friends, family and colleagues will come together as they learn of the character’s sudden passing.
The storyline announcing the death of Neil “perfectly illustrates who Kristoff was — warm, dynamic, friendly and open,” Angelica McDaniel, Executive Vice President, CBS Daytime Programs and Syndicated Programs Development, said shortly after the initial group of people was announced for the tribute.
READ: Kristoff St. John’s Official Cause of Death Revealed
The executive also confirmed that St. John’s former on-screen daughter, Christel Khalil (Lily Winters), who was bumped to recurring status last year, will be back for both the scripted tribute to Neil and the unscripted tribute for St. John. “Lily will be back!” McDaniel said. “Unfortunately, Tonya [Lee Williams; ex-Olivia Hastings] is out of the country working on a project and wasn’t able to join.” In response to a fan who further pressed on Williams appearing for the tributes, McDaniel told the poster, “We totally agree and we did. Unfortunately, due to other commitments, she wasn’t able to join.”
Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) will also be back in time for the tribute to Neil and St. John, McDaniel confirmed. “Jill will be back in the scripted shows and Jess is part of the unscripted tribute,” the executive said.
Meanwhile, with both their characters having been killed off in separate storyline twists in 2018 and 2007, respectively, Morgan and Rowell will only appear for the on-air tribute to St. John, wherein several fan favorites return to pay their respects to the beloved actor.
The tribute to Kristoff St. John airs Monday, April 29 on CBS.