'General Hospital' Alum Richard Simmons: "I Am Not Kidnapped"

Richard Simmons

General Hospital alum Richard Simmons spoke to ET on Sunday, addressing recent reports about why he had not been seen in public in more than two years including a story in the New York Daily News titled "The Haunted Twilight of Richard Simmons."

"I am not kidnapped," the 67-year-old fitness guru told ET's executive producer, Brad Bessey, by phone. "I am just in my house right now."

"No one should be worried about me," Simmons said. "The people that surround me are wonderful people who take great care of me."

On Saturday, the New York Daily News published a long report citing on and off the record sources who expressed concern for Simmons' well-being.

Richard Simmons on GH in October 1980.

“We are very concerned," a friend of Simmons said. "I believe that something else is happening. I don’t think Richard is in there of his own volition.”

Simmons called the report "very hurtful."

"I love all the people who worry about me," Simmons said. "But it was time for me to take some time to be by myself. For the last 40 years I have been traveling, teaching classes, and I had a knee injury, so I had a knee replacement, which was very difficult for me… I have really just been taking it easy, staying at home, working out in my gym and doing the things I haven't done in a very long time."

Simmons last appeared on GH in 2013.

Richard Simmons "Hair Do" Official Music Video Released

Fresh off crashing Mac and Felicia's wedding on GENERAL HOSPITAL, Richard Simmons is at another wedding (and many other locations) in his brand new music video for "Hair Do (feat. Kathy Phillips)." Check it out below:

Richard Simmons Releases Lyric Video For His New Single, "Hair Do"

Check out the official lyric video for Richard Simmons' new single, "Hair Do," below. There's also a clip of his guest appearance at Mac and Felicia's wedding on Monday's episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL.

Richard Simmons Returning To GENERAL HOSPITAL

Fitness guru Richard Simmons, who returned to GENERAL HOSPITAL for the show's 50th anniversary and the Nurses' Ball, is heading back to Port Charles, per his official Twitter account (@TheWeightSaint).

"Off to do General Hospital this morning............what fun!" he wrote.

RELATED:
- "General Hospi-Tale" Used On Thursday's GENERAL HOSPITAL (Lyrics & Audio)
- GENERAL HOSPITAL Classic Photo Of The Day (Richard Simmons Workout)

"General Hospi-Tale" Used On Thursday's GENERAL HOSPITAL (Lyrics & Audio)

Remember "General Hospi-Tale" by The Afternoon Delights? GENERAL HOSPITAL resurrected the song on Thursday's episode as Richard Simmons led the nurses in a dance.

Here are the lyrics (audio is below) of the 1981 classic:

Rock it hard, rock it steady
Pick yourself up and get yourself ready
Wave your arms let me hear you yell
We're gonna rap about General Hospi-Tale

It started out in Port Charles town
Where Frank Smith's mob used to hang around
No one could prove that he was a crook
Till Luke stole his little black book

GENERAL HOSPITAL Nurses Ball Photos [SPOILER ALERT]

Honoring 50 historic years on ABC, GENERAL HOSPITAL is the longest-running scripted drama currently in production in the United States and the third longest-running drama in American television history. To mark the show's Golden Anniversary, GH reprises the immensely popular Nurses Ball, a fictional charity event complete with musical performances from the illustrious citizens of Port Charles dedicated to HIV/AIDS awareness. The celebration begins on April 1st. Check out some other photos from Nurses Ball 2013 below [SPOILER ALERT]:

GENERAL HOSPITAL's 50th Anniversary Plans - Nurse's Ball Preview

GENERAL HOSPITAL is preparing to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary and the new TV Guide Magazine offers a preview.

[SPOILER ALERT]

The Nurses' Ball will air April 5, 8 and has Rick Springfield returning as Dr. Noah Drake, who will take to the stage and rock out "Jessie's Girl." Off on the sidelines, Frisco (Jack Wagner) is trying to woo back his love Felicia (Kristina Wagner), while Anna (Finola Hughes) is once again in the arms of Duke (Ian Buchanan). Nurse Bobbie (Jackie Zeman) is there too as is fitness guru Richard Simmons, who plays charity gala's pushy choreographer.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Classic Photo Of The Day (Richard Simmons Workout)

In honor of GENERAL HOSPITAL's upcoming 50th anniversary (GH50), We Love Soaps will be posting a "Classic Photo of the Day" for the rest of the month. Today's photo was taken in October 1980 and features the women of Port Charles staying in shape.

Shell Kepler (Amy), Brooke Bundy (Diana), Gail Ramsey (Susan) and Jacklyn Zeman joined Richard Simmons for one our their regular workouts on the show. Simmons returns for two episodes of GH later this month.

Simmons returns to GH on March 28.

Richard Simmons: 'I Have A Secret And You'll Know Soon'

Fitness personality Richard Simmons posted a photo of himself wearing a Nurse's Ball jackset on his Facebook page on Friday. Simmons spent a four years recurring as himself on GENERAL HOSPITAL during its ratings heyday. He will be making a two-episode return appearance for the show's 50th Anniversary.

Watch a clip of Simmons on GH at the Campus Disco below: