Australian fans of The Simpsons might need to enter lockdown until at least early next year if they don't want to find out which character was killed off at the start of the show's 26th season.

Speculation has been rife about which character would meet their maker in the dramatic plot twist but, now all has been revealed, reaction on social media has mostly been one of disappointment. Despite all the hype, it's not a figure widely familiar to fans across the board.

Familar faces: The Simpsons has been hit by the death of a "beloved" character, which aired in the US on Sunday. Credit:Matt Groening/Fox

Even the opening credits of the episode dispell any fears that a major character dies off, with Bart Simpson scrawling on the chalkboard: "Spoiler alert: unfortunately, my dad doesn't die."