After 35 years, the actor behind The Simpsons' lovable nerd Milhouse is retiring - but not before one last Treehouse of Horror

So this is what it feels like when doves cry. After 35 beautiful years of Milhouse Van Houten, Pamela Hayden is retiring from The Simpsons.

"The time has come for me to hang up my microphone, but how do I say goodbye to The Simpsons?……not easily," Hayden said in a statement. "It’s been an honor and a joy to have worked on such a funny, witty, and groundbreaking show, and to give voice to Milhouse (and Jimbo Jones, Rod Flanders, Janey, Malibu Stacy, and many others)."

Hayden began voicing Milhouse, who creator Matt Groening said was initially created because Bart "needed someone to talk to in the school cafeteria," in 1989. As mentioned above, she also provided the voice for bully Jimbo Jones, Ned Flanders' son Rod, Janey Powell, Amber, Jerri Mackleberry, Malibu Stacy, E-mail, Ham, Titania, and Sarah Wiggum. The show will now start casting for these characters - for the first time in 35 years.