United Kingdom, March 17 -- Patrick Dempsey no longer feels an "attachment" to his Grey's Anatomy character.

The 60-year-old actor portrayed neurosurgeon Derek 'McDreamy' Shepherd in the medical drama from 2005 to 2015, before returning five years later for the 17th season.

But he admitted the character will "always" be a part of his life, and it gives him a platform for his Dempsey Center, a non-profit that offers comprehensive support services for cancer patients at no cost.

Asked if he still has any attachment to his character, Patrick told The Hollywood Reporter: "No, but what it does give me is a platform to help talk about the Dempsey Center and the work that is being done there.

"We're talking in March right now, which is Color...