'The Simpsons' won't kill off an "iconic" character.
The long-running animated comedy will say goodbye to a regular character in its Season 26 premiere later this year, but the show's producers have insisted the unlucky Springfield resident won't be one of the show's beloved core faces.
Executive producer Al Jean told TVLine.com: "The character that dies is portrayed by an actor who won an Emmy for playing that character. People who reported on it then reported we were killing an 'iconic' character. I'd like to say it's a great character, but I never used the word 'iconic'. It's a terrific character."
Al - who has branded the death the 'Yellow Wedding', referring to the numerous deaths on hit HBO show 'Game of Thrones' - went on to reveal the fateful character might pop up again in future, however.
He added: "We always have kind of a flexible reality."
Co-producer Matt Selman added: "What we told the performer is, 'This does not mean the end of your participation in 'The Simpsons'.' "
Over 25 actors have earned Emmys for their voice roles on 'The Simpsons', but one star that can be ruled out is Hank Azaria, who voices the likes of barkeeper Moe, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Chief Wiggum and Comic Book Guy.
Hank recently said: "I honestly didn't know who it was going to be. And now I do know ... I can say that it's not one of mine."

Gwyneth Paltrow says singing is her favourite "side job".
The 41-year-old actress took to the stage with country singer Holly Williams at Los Angeles' legendary Roxy Theatre on Monday night (28.04.14) and later revealed on Twitter that music comes a close second to acting for her.
Sharing a picture of the set, she posted on the social networking site: "Singing back-up, my favorite side job @hollywilliams1 @colemantime #latergram".
The actress surprised fans by jumping on stage with singer-songwriter Holly, who was supporting country rocker Jason Isbell, swaying from side-to-side in time with the music.
The 'Iron Man 3' star - who has children Apple, nine, and Moses, eight with estranged husband Chris Martin - will no doubt have picked up some tips from the Coldplay frontman, who she split from in March after 10 years of marriage.
The 'Sliding Doors' star has shown off her vocal pipes in the past with a role on hit musical TV show 'Glee', playing Spanish substitute teacher Holly Holliday.
She also starred as an alcoholic Nashville singer in 2010 movie 'Country Strong', a part for which she asked her good pal Beyonce for advice, as well as observing the superstar in action to pick up performance tips.
She explained: "I watched her [perform] a lot to see how she did it, and I was like 'S**t! I can't do that!'"

George Clooney's new fiancée snubbed him three times before agreeing to go out on a date.
The 'Monuments Men' star - whose engagement to Amal Alamuddin was announced this week - met the human rights lawyer at a "small charity fundraiser" last September and despite being instantly attracted to her, she was unimpressed by his Hollywood stature and failed to be won over by his charm.
A source told RadarOnline.com: "George immediately honed in on Amal and was formally introduced to her. He had no idea she was such an accomplished lawyer!
"She was engaging in the conversation after the introduction was made, and then did the unthinkable. Amal walked away from the group George was with! He was instantly more intrigued by her. George then inserted himself into another group Amal was talking with. She just wasn't impressed by the Hollywood actor persona.
"George asked for her phone number at the end of the night, and she refused to give it to him! Again, another first."
The hunky actor managed to obtain her number and called her the following morning to ask her out, but had to work hard to get her to agree to meet.
The source added: "She turned him down! He was absolutely shocked. No one turns George down for a date. Amal had no interest in dating an actor, but George was eventually able to convince her to go out with him to discuss his humanitarian work."
However, once they finally went out, the 36-year-old beauty was very impressed with George, 52, and his charitable and humanitarian endeavours.
The source said: "After their first date, Amal was extremely impressed with George's work in Darfur, and realised that he was much more than an actor."

Naya Rivera is not leaving 'Glee'.
The 27-year-old actress' representative has slammed claims she has been axed from the hit musical drama after a blazing row with producers over her co-star Lea Michele's "diva antics" earlier this month, insisting she will continue in her role as lesbian Santana Lopez.
Her spokesperson said: "Any reports or rumors circulating that Naya Rivera was let go or fired from Glee are absolutely untrue. End of story."
A spokesperson for the show's producers 20th Century Fox Television declined to comment on Naya's future with the show.
However, insiders told the Hollywood Reporter that claims the actress has received warning letters from the studio to change are untrue, as are reports she has been banned from the set.
Naya's future on the show was questioned when she reportedly stormed off set on April 15 after 'Cannonball' singer Lea, whose boyfriend and on-screen love interest Cory Monteith tragically passed away last year, reportedly made the rest of the cast wait to shoot a scene as she dealt with personal matters.
However, it is believed the two stars have been "icy" towards each other for a while.
An insider previously said: "Naya is jealous that Lea is the show's main star. There is a lot of sighing and eye-rolling between them. They talk behind each other's backs a lot."

A costume worn by Lady Gaga has sold for more than $15,000 at auction. The elaborate outfit, created by avante garde designers threeASFOUR for the 'Applause' hitmaker's March 2014 photo shoot in Harper's Bazaar magazine, was sold at Nate D. Sanders A...

Beyonce paid tribute to one of her biggest fans after the young girl lost her battle to cancer.
The 'Drunk in Love' hitmaker sent a bouquet of 90 white roses and a handwritten note to Chelsea Lee James' family, who are mourning the loss of the beloved teenager after she passed away at the age of 15 on April 21.
The family posted a picture on Facebook, which showed the flowers and the message attached.
The note read: "Donna, love and prayers to you and your family. Chelsea was a beautiful girl and I am so happy I was able to meet her. She touched my heart and I will never forget her."
Chelsea - who had been battling the illness for the past decade - was brought on stage during Beyonce's 2009 concert in Sydney, Australia, when she dedicated 'Halo' to her.
She sang: "Chelsea I can see your halo, I pray it won't fade away."
The pair were reunited backstage at the 'Mrs. Carter Show' in November after the children's cancer charity Camp Quality organised a meeting.

Andy Garcia will star in the live-action 'Max Steel' movie.
The 58-year-old actor will join Ben Winchell and Ana Villafane in the story which is based on the toy manufactured by American company Mattel.
The tale follows Max McGrath and his companion Steel as they combine their powers and Garcia - who received an Oscar nomination for 'The Godfather Part III' - will play Dr. Miles Edwards, "a brilliant and mysterious scientist", according to The Hollywood Reporter.
'Thor: The Dark World' scribe Christopher Yost will pen the script for the Stewart Hendler-directed film.
'Max Steel' shooting will begin on Tuesday (06.04.14) and is set for a 2015 release.
Mattel's Barbie is also set to hit the big screen in a film which will cover some of her most famous looks, which include princess, president and mermaid in the forthcoming picture.
Hannah Minghella, Columbia Pictures' president of production, previously said: "We've always thought that the Barbie story had great potential, but a universe of possibilities opened up when Jenny, Walter and Laurie brought us their unexpected, clever and truly funny concept."

Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne are "stupid people" on a "dumb mission" in 'Bad Neighbours'.
The 23-year-old comedian and his 'Bad Neighbours' co-star play a young couple with a newborn baby whose home lives are turned upside down when when a college fraternity moves into the house next door.
The pair try to get revenge on the students for their blazing house parties which keep them up all night and the film's producer Evan Goldberg insists Rogen's character is different from the parts he usually plays.
He told the Hollywood Reporter: "Normally in Seth's movies, he's combative. In this, though, Rose Byrne and him are a team. They are both stupid people in a dumb mission that they shouldn't be doing."
Goldberg's co-producer James Weaver agrees that the 'Superbad' actor takes on a more mature role while 'That Awkward Moment' star Zac Efron is the childish one.
He said: "[Rogen] is an adult in the movie, which people are talking about. Zac is the kid, and Seth is doing adult things."
Rogen - who is married to actress Lauren Miller - admits that he had difficulties looking after his screen baby as he's not good with children.
He explained: "Babies are not fans of me either, and we made sure they were fine by me before we casted. These babies were good, but most I'm not cool with."

McBusted don't think other supergroups would be able to fake the chemistry they have.
The group, made up of Mcfly's Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd and Busted members James Bourne and Matt Willis, have heard other boy bands are planning to follow suit and join forces but don't think they'll be as successful as McBusted.
Singer Tom told the Daily Star newspaper: "I heard Boyzone and Westlife are rumoured to be doing something similar to us.
"The thing is, I'm not sure if it would work as well for other bands.
"Good luck to anyone wanting to form a supergroup, but it probably won't be as easy and natural as it was for us.
"McFly and Busted go way back. I was in Busted for a while before McFly, plus Harry and Charlie [Simpson, from Busted] went to school together and I went to school with Matt.
"James has written most of McFly's hits. So the lines between the two bands have always been blurred. For us to merge seemed the natural thing to do."
McBusted have kicked off their 34-date arena tour but Tom, 28, admits it hasn't been very rock and roll behind the scenes.
He said: "I think we've all been too busy crapping our pants about the show to be honest.
"But there'll be plenty of time for backstage antics and pranking from now on.
"We're such good mates and touring together is so fun."
The band will play their biggest gig so far on July 6 when they headline Barclaycard British Summer Time at London's Hyde Park.
They will be joined by Backstreet Boys, The Vamps, Scouting For Girls and Lawson.

Mariah Carey's children will feature on her next album.
The '#Beautiful' singer - who has two-year-old twins Monroe and Morocco with husband Nick Cannon - has revealed her children sang on her track 'Supernatural', which will be included on the upcoming record.
Mariah told Wonderland magazine: "There's a song on the record called 'Supernatural' that I haven't talked to the media about before - it features Roc and Roe.
"Especially Monroe - that's her song. She opens the song, actually. It was something along the lines of 'Goo goo goooo.'"
Mariah has become famed for her eight octave vocal range, and it now looks as though her daughter Morocco is following in her footsteps, as she revealed the tot has a strong voice.
The 44-year-old pop star added: "For a two and a half year old, she was a steady vibrato."
Meanwhile, Mariah's record label have denied reports she is planning to put a surprise album online after Beyonce's released her album digitally without any marketing or advertising in December last year.
Def Jam's Executive Vice President, Darrale Jones, said: "Mariah will announce the date and title in advance of the on-sale date."
The label executive also confirmed the album is due for release next month.

Britain's Prince Harry's split from Cressida Bonas is "amicable".
The 29-year-old royal and the 25-year-old socialite have reportedly separated after two years of dating, and despite claims the prince called time on the romance because he found Cressida too "needy", insiders insist the decision was mutual.
A source told MailOnline: "Unfortunately it is true, they have split up. But this suggestion that the prince supposedly 'dumped' Cressida because she was 'too needy' is so wide of the mark.
"It is a very amicable split and they are still very much the best of friends. They have just decided to go their separate ways."
Several friends believe the pair - who recently sparked speculation they were set to get engaged after making their first public appearances together - will eventually get back together once Cressida, who recently graduated from dance school and is currently working for a marketing company, decides what she wants to do next.
Another source said: "Cressie is only 25 and pretty young for her age at that. Prince Harry will be 30 this year and is at a different stage in his life. He is incredibly fond of Cressie and understands that she wants to do something with her life and with her career before she considers settling down.
"It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if they got back together in a few months time."

Bruno Tonioli thinks it will be "tough" to beat 'The X Factor' in the ratings this year.
The 'Strictly Come Dancing' judge thinks the rival show will see a ratings boost this year with Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole returning to the judging panel, but still thinks the BBC One dance contest will triumph when they go head-to-head for viewers.
Speaking at BritWeek in Los Angeles, he said: "Cheryl and Simon have a unique chemistry on screen that the viewers really like, so they will be a strong show this year.
"It will be tough. But we still want to be best.
"Our team is working around the clock 24/7 to make our show the best.
"They work like crazy to make sure we are ready and that our contestants are ready.
"I think that is one of the reasons we are number one.
"We will continue doing what we do and I hope we win again."
Bruno - who is joined on the 'Strictly' panel by Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Darcey Bussell - and Simon are good friends but he admits they are very "competitive" over their rival shows.
He said: "Simon is a good friend, but when it comes to the shows we are competitive.
"We are friendly rivals."
And the 58-year-old Italian claimed his pal has even confided in him with who is joining himself, Cheryl and Louis Walsh on the judging panel.
Bruno claimed: "I know who it is, but I cannot say."
But asked if he would ever leave 'Strictly' for the rival show, he added: "No, I love 'Strictly'."