Lea Michele has paid tribute to Glee fans after wrapping her final scenes for the third season.

The actress - who plays Rachel Berry in the musical TV show - will no longer be playing a leading part in the series as her character will be graduating from high school, but has thanks all the "Gleeks" for supporting her and the show since the beginning.

"It's impossible to say how much Glee means to me. This year has been so amazing & I cannot WAIT for next year:) It's going to be great... I'm so grateful for our amazing crew and most of all to all of YOU! To all of our gleeks out there you all helped make our show what it is. I love you all with all my heart! Can't wait to have an amazing summer and see whats next for Rachel Berry in season 4!!!!(sic)" she wrote on Twitter.

Lea also wished a happy birthday to her boyfriend and co-star Cory Monteith, proclaiming him to be a "very special person."

"AND since is after 12pm... I'd like to be the first to wish a very special bday to a very special person @CoryMonteith... happy birthday:) <3 (sic)" she added.

Lea's alter-ego Rachel is one of a number of stars of the show to be graduating this year - Amber Riley's Mercedes and Dianna Agron's Quinn have also left.

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