Hi-diddly-no: Ned Flanders voice actor Harry Shearer possibly quits The Simpsons

Veteran voice actor Harry Shearer has reportedly departed The Simpsons, leaving the show without major characters including Ned Flanders, Mr Burns and Principal Skinner.

Shearer, 71, tweeted a message saying he had left the iconic show because he wanted to do other work.

Speculation over the nature of his departure remains, however, after it was earlier reported Shearer had delayed signing his latest contract following the show being renewed for its 27th and 28th seasons.

Shearer has also previously criticised the show's perceived declining quality in its later seasons.

Notably, he was the only main cast member not to voice a character in the Simpsons/Family Guy animated crossover, which attracted criticism for "selling out".

He will be the first member of the core cast - including Dan Castallaneta, Julie Kanvers, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith and Hank Azaria - to leave the show.

It is unknown how the show will replace Shearer or what it will do with now-voiceless iconic characters, but the actor himself quoted a lawyer for co-creator James L Brooks in another tweet saying "the show will go on".