Here’s who will be the next to die on The Simpsons

A major character is on the way out this season. Here are the odds on some fan favourites.

The creators of The Simpsons have announced they’ll be killing off a major character in the 25th season which is about to air. There hasn’t been a major character death since Maude Flanders 14 years ago, so it’s picked up many a person’s interest.

Show producer Al Jean said one of the characters voiced by an Emmy winner will die – but that doesn’t really narrow it down, as most of the main cast voice several characters and have picked up an award in the past quarter decade.

So who will face the axe? The bookies have been hard at work with the odds, so, from short to long, here’s a selection of main characters that could be meeting their final episode.

SIDESHOW BOB

Odds: 7/2

Epitaph: Die Bart, Die

Bob’s actually a favourite to die, right up there with Grandpa Simpson. The poor guy hasn’t been able to catch a break since he tried to frame Krusty … 23 years ago.

ABE SIMPSON

Odds: 7/2

Epitaph: Unfortunately, like all true stories, this one has a crappy ending.

Abe is an old man. He’s been living in that old folks home since the series first aired 24 years ago, so he’s right up the top of the bookies’ lists.

WAYLON SMITHERS

Odds: 7/1

Epitaph: No! Don't make me take a vacation! Without you, I'll wither and die!

Ah, Smithers. The man defined by his love / hate for Mr Burns. Because he’s part of the pair, it’s hard to see how he could be killed off and leave Burns unattended – but the bookies disagree.

BARNEY GUMBLE

Odds: 8/1

Epitaph: If we've learned anything from the Full Monty, it's that in a tough economy ugly people strip for money.

Between the medical experiments, constant liver assault and waking up in strange places, it’s a miracle Barney is still kicking. But this could be his last season. We can see him going down saving his buddies – he’s saved them all before.

MOE SIZLACK

Odds: 8/1

Epitaph: I'm better than dirt. Well, most kinds of dirt, not that fancy store-bought dirt. I can't compete with that stuff.

Moe can’t be killed off. Where would Homer drink his beers? And besides, with all the references to his depression and suicidal tendencies over the years, killing Moe would be … dark. Unsavoury. Not a good idea.

KRUSTY THE CLOWN

Odds: 9/1

Epitaph: “There's nothing better than a cigarette... unless it's a cigarette lit with a hundred-dollar bill.”

At 9/1, Krusty is barely outside the “most likely” category. And with his history of shady deals and dangerous devices, he’s walking a fine line.

APU NAHASAPEEMAPETILON

Odds: 10/1

Epitaph: Thank you, come again.

Apu is a weirdly subtle character, who started out as a caricature of foreign-born store owners, but ended up being a fan favourite. We’ve seen him get married, have kids, explore his culture, illegal immigrant status and religion, and become an all-round fully-formed character.

GROUNDSKEEPER WILLIE

Odds of death: 18/1

Epitaph: I was wrestling wolves when you were still suckling at your mother's teat.

Willie’s a classic. The raging Scotsman has been a fixture for the show’s whole run, and wormed his way into our hearts by covering himself in grease and crawling through the ventilation shafts.

CHIEF WIGGUM

Odds: 25/1

Epitaph: The ready availability of guns to the public makes my job as a cop safer AND easier!

Wiggum is a piece of comedic genius and many a fan’s favourite character, along with his son Ralph. Losing him would be a big blow, so it’s a shame to see him so far up the list. Still, he’s equally as likely to accidentally shoot himself as go down in a blaze of glory.

NED FLANDERS

Odds: 50 /1

Epitaph: When you meet Jesus, be sure to call Him Mr. Christ.

Ned can’t really die, can he, after losing his wife Maud? Rodd and Todd would be left orphans, and that’d be a bit dark for the show.

MR BURNS

Odds: 50/1

Epitaph: Excellent.

Old Mr Burns is pretty darn old, and he’s almost been killed off once before in the “who Shot Mr Burns?” story arc. He’s been given long odds, and he actually serves a pretty unique function as the town’s main antagonist and a constant problem for Homer.

Worry not about the core family: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are all 100/1 odds. Other characters high up on the odds list are Comic Book Guy and Enda Krabappel, both at 6/1, but we omitted them from the list because they’re not going to be on many people’s favourite character list.

So, who do you think should face the chopping block?