<P> In March 2011, Soap Opera Digest reported on their social media accounts that Christopher had been let go from the serial, due to Christopher's casting on ABC Family's The Lying Game, produced by former General Hospital head writer Charles Pratt, Jr . Christopher verified the reports of his firing to ABC Soaps In Depth; he explained that he had been released from his deal on Friday March 18, 2011, and the character of Nikolas was to be written out . Christopher's deal was set to expire in June and the date would have marked the beginning of the last 13 week - cycle period in his deal--at which time the network would notify the actor of their decision to offer another deal . While Christopher had previously admitted he was unsure about renewing his deal, he was open to working both shows and thought it was a likely possibility considering they were both under ABC . Christopher last appeared on June 30, 2011; he later returned for a three - day guest appearance from July 27 to July 30, 2011 . </P> <P> In March 2013, Christopher returned in a recurring capacity at General Hospital, while continuing to appear on The Lying Game . In June 2013, it was announced that Christopher had signed a deal to appear on a regular basis on General Hospital . The following month, it was announced that The Lying Game had been canceled after two seasons . In May 2016, actor Nick Stabile was temporarily cast in the role of Nikolas, with Christopher being unavailable, for an undisclosed amount of time . In September 2016, Soap Opera Digest reported that negotiations between Christopher and the serial had fallen apart, and that he would not be reprising his portrayal of Nikolas . Christopher made his last appearance on June 16, 2016 . </P> <P> In August 2017, it was announced that Christopher had joined the cast of Days of Our Lives in a newly - created role . Christopher previously made a one - episode guest appearance on the soap in 2001 . He made his first appearance as Stefan DiMera on December 29, 2017 . </P> <P> Christopher was married to Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004 . He was previously engaged to General Hospital co-star Vanessa Marcil and dated Natalia Livingston . He and auto racing reporter Brienne Pedigo publicly announced their engagement in October 2006; Christopher and Pedigo married September 27, 2008 . the couple resides in Indiana and had their first child, a son, on October 3, 2009 . In October 2014, it was announced that Christopher and his wife were expecting their second child, due in May 2015 . On May 3, 2015, Christopher announced on his official Twitter feed that Pedigo had given birth to a baby girl . </P>

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