The Simpsons star departs from show after 35 years-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

The voice of Milhouse is retiring from The Simpsons after 35 years (Picture: Fox)

The Simpsons voice actor Pamela Hayden, who is behind characters including Milhouse, has announced her retirement after 35 years.

Pamela, 70, also voiced the likes of bully Jones, Ned Flanders’ son Rod, Lisa Simpson’s friend Janey Powell and Chief Wiggum’s wife Sarah.

In a statement, she said: ‘The time has come for me to hang up my microphone, but how do I say goodbye to The Simpsons?……not easily.

‘It’s been an honor and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show, and to give voice to Milhouse (and Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Janey, Malibu Stacy, and many others).’

Pamela’s Milhouse, named after former US president Richard Milhous Nixon, first appeared in The Simpsons a Butterfinger commercial in 1989.

Explaining Milhouse’s origin story, creator Matt Groening said: ‘Bart needed someone to talk to in the school cafeteria.

Pamela said it was time for her to hang up her microphone (Picture: Amy Graves/Getty Images for Kash Hovey)

‘We named him Milhouse because that was the most unfortunate name a kid could have.’

He added: ‘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.’

Showrunner and executive producer Matt Selman also thanked Pamela for her contribution to the show with one of Milhouse’s catchphrases.

She first joined The Simpsons in the late 80s (Picture: Chris Polk/FilmMagic)

Matt said: ‘Pamela’s talent and joy and love for her characters has added a magic to The Simpsons that will never be forgotten. Everything’s coming up Pamela.’

While it might be farewell to The Simpsons from Pamela, last month they quietly brought back a forgotten character after 27 years.

In episode The Yellow Lotus, the Simpson family take a rare holiday to luxury resort Drooping Dandelions to cash in on their 10-year timeshare.

However, after Homer brushes up against a dead body while swimming in the sea, Marge suspects they’ve been scammed.

The Simpsons recently brought back Nick after nearly three decades (Picture: 20th Century Fox)

The dodgy salesman who sold them the lie? Nick Callahan, who first appeared in The Simpsons in the season nine episode Realty Bites when Marge joined the Red Blazer Realty Bites, working alongside Gil Gunderson, Cookie Kwan, and Nick.

Pamela’s other credits include Pinky and the Brain, The Tom & Jerry Kids Show, Hey Arnold! and Recess.

She will give her final voice to Milhouse and Jimbo Jones in new episode Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes, which debuts on Fox in the US on Sunday.

Casting for her characters will begin in the near future.

The Simpsons is available to watch on Disney Plus in the UK.

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