After more than 26 years, since the "The Simpsons" began, voice behind characters Ned Flanders and Mr. Burns is leaving the show.

According to reports Harry Shearer, 71, will be walking away from US$14 million for two years of work after a dispute with "The Simpsons" producers. Al Jean, the Executive producer of the television-animated series issued a statement to the New York Times that the show "will go on" and that they will simply recast the characters.  

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On Twitter, an executive says that they are not planning to kill off the characters of Burns and Flanders but that they will "recast with the finest voiceover talent available."

Shearer provided the voice for three characters in the "The Simpsons" ---- Seymour Skinner, the school principal, Montgomery Burns, the greedy millionaire, Ned Flanders, Homer's neighbor, Rev. Lovejoy and Kent Brockman. The voice talent tweeted that his decision to leave the show was not about money but rather a new contract would have prevented him form doing other work.

However, according to sources, the proposed deal for Shearer allows him to do other projects outside the show. The sources continued that the deal Shearer rejected was a "dream of a lifetime."

On Twitter, the lawyer for James L Brooks, "The Simpsons" executive producer said that the show would go on.  He also wished Shearer the best.

Shearer tweeted that this was always what he wanted:  "The freedom to do other work."

In response, Al Jean tweeted that Harry Shearer and the rest of the cast of "The Simpsons" was offered the same deal but it was only Shearer who turned it down. He continued to say that that "Maggie took it hard," but the show will go on.

Fox network last week confirmed that they are extending the animated sitcom for two more series, the 27th and 28th seasons. "The Simpsons" has been airing for 26 years, the longest running animated series on television.  The added two seasons will make the total number of episodes at 625.

TagsThe Simpsons, Mr. Burns, Ned Flanders, voice talent, television, animated series