Harry Shearer, the Emmy-winning actor who voices Ned Flanders and Mr Burns in The Simpsons, says he is leaving the long-running series but the show’s manager hopes to change his mind.
Shearer, who plays Homer Simpson’s “okely dokeley” neighbour Flanders and evil billionaire Burns, tweeted a message from James L Brooks, an executive producer of the hit series, relayed by his lawyer.
"Show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best," Shearer quoted Brooks as saying.
He added on his own behalf: "This [is] because I wanted what we've always had - the freedom to do other work".
The hit series' showrunner, Al Jean, told the New York Times in an email: "Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed. The show will go on and we wish him well".
He says the characters voiced by Shearer — also including Burns' obsequious manservant Smithers — will live on.
"We do not plan to kill off characters like Burns and Flanders but will recast with the finest voiceover talent available," Jean told the New York Times.
But in a subsequent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jean said: "We're still hoping he might come back. Nothing's done 'til it's done".
Asked how he reacted when he heard about Shearer's departure tweet, he added: "My reaction is, 'Oh, he'll be back'. It's not the first time that it's been a possibility, but he always returns".
Shearer has been a part of The Simpsons cast since its debut in 1989.
The show averages 7.7 million viewers on television and online in the United States.
Millions more enjoy the show in foreign markets including Australia, according to US television network Fox.
Earlier this month, Fox announced it had renewed the long-running series for two more seasons.