Lowe to return for 'West Wing' ending

Rob Lowe will return to his role in The West Wing for its final episodes.

The actor – who played deputy communications director Sam Seaborn – will join several other former stars in coming back for its finale.

Lowe left the Emmy-winning drama in March 2003, reportedly over a salary dispute.

NBC announced in January they were cancelling the show – after its seventh series –because of an audience drop.

Other names set to return include Mary-Louise Parker (women's-rights advocate Amy Gardner), CSI: Miami star Emily Proctor, Marlee Matlin, Gary Cole, Tim Matheson, Timothy Busfield and Annabeth Gish.

Producers say all will appear in one or more of the final episodes, though not necessarily the finale, which will show in the US on May 14 this year.