The Simpsons composer Danny Elfman has claimed the latest season of the cartoon could be its last.
Speaking to Joe on Saturday, the creator of the show’s classic theme tune, 66, left fans devastated after his shocking declaration.
Discussing the show’s supposedly imminent end, he explained: ‘Well, from what I’ve heard, it is coming to an end. I don’t know for a fact, but I’ve heard that it will be in its last year.’
‘It is coming to an end’: The Simpsons composer Danny Elfman left fans devastated as he claimed the cartoon’s latest season could be its last
While Danny added of the show’s legacy: ‘All I can say is that I’m so flabbergasted and amazed that it has lasted as long as it did.
‘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.’
The iconic cartoon was created by Matt Groening in 1989, and is the longest-running American sitcom and the longest-running American scripted primetime television series both in terms of seasons and number of episodes.
Iconic: The cartoon was created by Matt Groening in 1989, and is America’s longest-running sitcoms, and has released 670 episodes so far
Candid: Discussing the show’s end, Danny (pictured in March) explained: ‘Well, from what I’ve heard, it is coming to an end. I don’t know for a fact, but I’ve heard that it will be in its last year’
Despite Danny’s claim, Fox revealed in February this year that the show was renewed for a 32nd season to reach 713 episodes by the end, while there have also been rumours of a second Simpsons Movie being released.
Following Disney’s groundbreaking acquisition of 20th Century Fox, ever episode of the classic cartoon has also been added to its video-on-demand platform Disney+.
After hearing Danny’s shocking statement, fans took to Twitter to express their devastation that the show would be ending.
Upset: After hearing Danny’s shocking statement, fans took to Twitter to express their devastation that the show would be ending
One fan said in response to the news: ‘I truly believe the Simpsons cannot end or we will splinter reality again. Causing Marty Mcfly to fix our last election and future cartoons.’
While another was clearly devastated, as they wrote: ‘SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!!!!!!!’
Hoping to make a change, one Twitter user added: ‘I demand that @The Simpsons don’t end can we start a petition or something?!!!!’
Taking a more diplomatic approach, another claimed: ‘Even though its Golden Age is over, the idea that The Simpsons could end feels downright apocalyptic at this point.’
Fans of the show can still have hope of a movie being made after the show’s 32nd season as Matt said there’s ‘no doubt’ there will be another movie spin-off of the hit cartoon show.
The 65-year-old cartoonist insisted that there will definitely be a follow-up to the 2007 movie version of the comedy show.
According to a report by NME on Monday, he said at a panel during San Diego Comic Con: ‘No doubt there will be another Simpsons movie one of these days. I think Disney wants something for its money.’
The Simpsons family: Homer and Marge are parents to precocious Lisa, the mischievous Bart, and baby Maggie who rarely speaks
The Simpsons Movie saw the titular family leave their hometown of Springfield, which was quarantined under a giant glass dome after Homer accidentally polluted the town’s lake with his pet pig. The movie grossed over $527 million worldwide.
Homer and Marge are parents to precocious Lisa, voiced by 54-year-old Yeardley Smith; the mischievous Bart, voiced by 61-year-old Nancy Cartwright, and baby Maggie who rarely speaks.
The series has won 31 Primetime Emmy Awards, 30 Annie Awards and a Peabody Award, and in January 2000 The Simpsons family was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
Classic: The series has won 31 Primetime Emmy Awards, 30 Annie Awards and a Peabody Award, and in 2000 The Simpsons family was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame