The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus declares the fans keep him in the series, after several cullings throughout The Walking Dead.

Norman Reedus, who plays the ass-kicking crossbower, Daryl Dixon, in AMC’s hit television series The Walking Dead has declared that the writers and showrunners are keeping him in the series because the “fans keep Daryl alive.”

“Because we’re in a zombie apocalypse and anyone can go at any time, it sort of keeps us fresh and on our toes.”

Reedus spoke to the Associated Press over the weekend and had quite a lot to say regarding Daryl’s status on The Walking Dead.

Reedus commented, “You see series and they last a long time and sometimes the writing gets lazy or the acting gets lazy. Because we’re in a zombie apocalypse and anyone can go at any time, it sort of keeps us fresh and on our toes.”

But, could Daryl be heading for the chopping block?

Glenn Mazzara recently spoke out about how Carol and Carl had been on the “chopping block” for when they wrote season 3, but it appears as though Daryl will definitely be staying for the remainder of season at the very least.

Reedus confirmed he will be alive and hopefully well come the end of season 3 as Reedus commented, “[They’re] keeping me on the show.”

If Daryl Dixon were to die though, it appears as though Laurie Holden would love to pick up the role in a next life. Holden jokes, “I want to be Daryl Dixon in my next life. He’s sexy and he’s got the rugged thing going on.”

Fans were out in force in their “If Daryl dies we riot!” t-shirts at Paleyfest, and with that continuing backing, we hope that Norman Reedus continues as Daryl Dixon, one of the most integral characters within The Walking Dead.

Would you riot if Daryl were to be killed off? And, who do you think might be the next character to be killed off in The Walking Dead?

The Walking Dead returns this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC with the episode, “Arrow on the Doorpost,” where Daryl looks set for another nail-biting episode.