Update:

Simpsons showrunner Al Jean has shut down Danny Elfman's suggestion that the show would come an end within a year.

Speaking to Metro , Jean said: "No disrespect to Mr. Elfman but we are producing season 32 starting next year and have no plans to end after that."It's unclear where Elfman heard that the show was winding down, but it seems he heard wrong.

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Composer Danny Elfman has claimed The Simpsons could be coming to an end within a year.Speaking to Joe about his prolific career, Elfman, who composed the iconic theme tune for the long-running cartoon, said he had heard rumours that the animated series could finally be wrapping up after more than 30 years on our screens."Well, from what I've heard, it is coming to an end," he told the outlet, adding: "I don't know for a fact, but I've heard that it will be in its last year."Following this shock revelation, Elfman reflected back on the legacy and popularity of The Simpsons , as he admitted that the show's longevity had far exceeded his expectations, saying: "All I can say is that I'm so flabbergasted and amazed that it has lasted as long as it did."So, you have to realise, when I scored The Simpsons, I wrote this crazy piece of music, and I expected no-one would hear it because I really did not think the show had a chance in hell. Really, I expected it would run for three episodes and get cancelled, and that would be that, because it was so weird at the time, and I just didn't think it had a chance. So believe me, that is one of the truly big surprises in my life."Since its debut in 1989, The Simpsons , created by Matt Groening, has spawned more than 630 episodes across 30-plus seasons of the hit show, which serves as a satirical parody of a middle-class American lifestyle epitomised by Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie.Following the Disney-Fox merger earlier this year , The Simpsons' entire back catalogue was added to Disney's new streaming platform , with even more episodes expected to arrive in the near future, as the classic cartoon scored a two-season renewal back in February.For more on The Simpsons , find out what Matt Groening had to say about a Simpsons movie sequel , read about the Marvel guest stars who will appear in an upcoming episode , and check out our rundown of the 30 best Simpsons episodes of all time

Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter