Simpsons character death hugely narrowed down following Hank Azaria tip

Don't worry, Disco Stu is safe

The Simpson family are to lose a friend or relative (AP / FOX)

Simpsons fans got a big step closer to narrowing down which character will die in the upcoming season 26 this week, when voice actor Hank Azaria confirmed 'it's not one of mine'.

Show bosses' announcement that a major character would be killed off this autumn led to much speculation online as to which long-serving Springfield resident it would be.

Azaria remained tight-lipped over their identity, but was able to considerably shorten the list of those up for the chop.

"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," he told Entertainment Weekly.

Hank Azaria voices Moe, Apu, Snake and more (Picture: Getty)

One of the show's most prolific cast members, Azaria has voiced almost 300 characters in the Simpsons, meaning the following should definitely be safe:

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon

Moe Szyslak

Chief Wiggum

Comic Book Guy

Lou

Carl Carlson

Dr. Nick

Snake Jailbird

Professor Frink

Kirk Van Houten

Luigi Risotto

Bumblebee Man

Captain Horatio McCallister

Superintendent Chalmers

Cletus Spuckler

Disco Stu

Duffman

Crazy Old Man

Drederick Tatum

Legs

Wiseguy

Akira

Doug

Johnny Tightlips

Regardless of which character dies later this year, it may not be final.

Family Guy upset fans late last year when it bumped off dog Brian Griffin, only for him to return from the dead weeks later.