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Simpsons voice actor Harry Shearer announced on Twitter that he will not be returning to The Simpsons next season with the rest of the cast.

Shearer, 71, who rose to prominence with Christopher Guest in This is Spinal Tap, did not voice any of the main family members on the show, but was the talent behind many of the high-profile secondary characters such as Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, Otto the bus driver, Reverend Lovejoy, Smithers, Principal Skinner, Kent Brockman and Lenny among others. In total, only Dan Castellaneta and Hank Azaria voiced more individual characters.

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“Thanks, Simpsons fans, for your support,” Shearer tweeted after posting the news.

In a statement, Simpsons showrunner Al Jean said that Shearer was offered “the same deal as the rest of the cast” and passed on it and that the show would not be retiring his characters, but would continue them with different voice actors.