An actress who voiced one of The Simpsons’ most beloved characters has announced she is leaving the show after 35 years.
Pamela Hayden - who provided the voice for Milhouse van Houten and several other familiar characters - has announced that “after much deliberation” she is retiring from her role “to pursue other creative outlets”.
“The time has come for me to hang up my microphone, but how do I say goodbye to The Simpsons?……not easily,” she wrote in a post on Instagram.
Hayden, 70, has voiced Milhouse, Bart Simpson’s eternally 10-year-old best friend, since he first appeared on the hit show in 1989.
The hapless blue-haired, near-sighted character has since appeared in hundreds of episodes, and become a firm favourite among fans.
Hayden also provides the voice for Springfield Elementary bully Jimbo Jones; the Simpsons’ neighbour Rod Flanders, and sometimes his brother Todd; Sarah Wiggum, mother of Ralph and wife of police chief Wiggum; and Lisa Simpson’s schoolfriend Janey.
In a statement, she said: “It’s been an honour and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show, and to give voice to Milhouse.
“Here’s to everyone who made this terrific ride I’ve been on possible. Thanks for 35 years!! Be well and happy. My best to you all. P.S. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for that blue-haired 10-year-old boy with glasses.”
The Simpsons shared a video tribute to Hayden, with clips of her in the recording studio, and some of Milhouse’s most famous lines.
Hayden describes her work as “the greatest job in the world”.
“People come up to me and quote Milhouse lines,” she says in the video. “People are always saying what a nerd he is, but one thing that I love about Milhouse is he’s always getting knocked down but he keeps getting up. I love the little guy.”
Fans have thanked Hayden for her work, but many also expressed fears about what will happen to Milhouse’s character.
“Please don't kill him off,” wrote one. “Just make him lose his voice.”
Another suggested the writers could make Milhouse’s character “move away” from the fictional town of Springfield.
But Fox has confirmed casting for Hayden’s characters will begin in the near future, according to the New York Post.
“Heartbreaking that you are retiring, but I understand,” one fan wrote on Instagram, beneath a post by Hayden. “You brought amazing life to Milhouse and Jimbo. No one will truly replace you.”
Another wrote: “Thank you for voicing one of the best characters ever and more! You brought so much joy to so many.”
Simpsons creator Matt Groening said in a statement, seen by the New York Post: “Pamela gave us tons of laughs with Milhouse, the hapless kid with the biggest nose in Springfield. She made Milhouse hilarious and real, and we will miss her.”
Her final episode - Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes - was due to air on Sunday (November 24).
