The Simpsons: Sideshow Bob could finally kill Bart Simpson at Halloween as Spider Pig returns

Executive producer Al Jean dropped some big hints in Texas on Saturday

Kelsey Grammar voices criminal mastermind Sideshow Bob in The Simpsons (Rex Features)

He's been trying for literally decades but finally, Sideshow Bob is going to fulfil his lifelong ambition to kill Bart Simpson.

This year's Halloween episode of The Simpsons will prove one of the most dramatic yet when Kelsey Grammer's criminal character destroys everybody's favourite cartoon rascal.

The methods of Bart's execution remain a mystery at this stage but will no doubt be diabolical and enough to give us nightmares. Fortunately, Bart will be back in the hit series afterwards but again, we don't quite know how that's all going to pan out just yet.

Executive producer Al Jean revealed the exciting news at the ATX Festival panel in Texas yesterday. "You're gonna see Sideshow Bob do something he's wanted to do for a long time," he told Entertainment Weekly, explaining that he always longer to see Coyote get the Road Runner in Looney Tunes. "I hated frustrated comedy so we'll scratch that itch."

Bart Simpson's life will be in serious danger this Halloween

Whatever will Sideshow Bob do once his mission is accomplished? He has been trying to succeed in his quest to murder Bart since the "Cape Feare" episode in 1993 so we reckon there's a powerful anti-climax on the cards.

While you let this all sink in there's something else we have to share too - Spider-Pig is coming back! Oh yes, Homer's beloved Plopper from The Simpsons Movie will return in the 27th season, but there was no further news on popular voice actor Harry Shearer.

Shearer, whose characters included Mr Burns, Ned Flanders and Waylon Smithers, announced last month that he would be leaving The Simpsons after a contract dispute. It remains to be seen whether his characters will be retired or new actors will be found to voice them.

After 26 years and 573 episodes, many fans believe that the end of the show could soon be in sight.

Season 27 of The Simpsons begins on US network Fox on 27 September. You can catch season 26 in the UK on Sky1 every Thursday at 7.30pm.