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

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.

Hayden, who voiced Bart Simpson’s nerdy sidekick Milhouse Van Houten, Jimbo Jones and others, said she is leaving the show to pursue other opportunities.