It's unclear whether or not Ian Ziering was ever asked to return to 90210.

But the actor did make it clear, in an interview with People Magazine, that he wouldn't have been interested anyway.

“It’s not really where my career goals are focused right now,” Ziering said. “I’m really looking down the line pretty far and this might be a step backwards.”

Despite not returning in the fall for The CW's new show, the 44-year-old actor - yes, he's 44! - says his character will live on forever.

“You know, Steve Sanders lives on in our hearts and in our minds,” he said.

As the new 90210 has lured back Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty - but not Tori Spelling, as we reported yesterday -  Ziering says he wishes the cast and the series well.

“I think that it’s fantastic they’re trying to recapture some of the excitement that 90210 brought to a decade,” he said. “I wish them all the best of luck.”

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.