Pamela Hayden confirmed she will be leaving the iconic cartoon after nearly 700 episodes, stating that the characters she voiced will "always have a special place in my heart." The 70-year-old voice actor is ending her tenure on the show,

Pamela Hayden, voice of Bart Simpson's best friend on "The Simpsons," is stepping back from the role after more than three decades.

Pamela Hayden, who has voiced various characters including Bart’s best friend, Milhouse Van Houten, is retiring from the animated show after 35 years, Fox confirmed Wednesday. Hayden’s final episode — titled “Treehouse of Horror Presents: Simpsons Wicked This Way Comes” — will air Sunday, Nov. 24.

Ms. Hayden voiced many “Simpsons” characters since the show started in 1989. She’s most famously the voice of Bart’s awkward 10-year-old best friend.

Hayden, 70, has voiced Milhouse, Bart Simpson’s eternally 10-year-old best friend, since he first appeared on the hit show in 1989. The hapless blue-haired, near-sighted character has since appeared in hundreds of episodes, and become a firm favourite among fans.

Pamela Hayden voiced the character of Milhouse Van Houten and others for 35 years since the show's launch in 1989.

After 35 years of voicing Bart’s unlucky but indefatigable best friend, Pamela Hayden is retiring. She still has high hopes for his future.