12:54am UK, Wednesday July 28, 2004

The Simpsons cartoon series is to present fans with a new cliffhanger - which of the characters is coming out of the closet.

One of them is to reveal to the world he or she is gay.

180 Homer Simpson

Who will come out of the closet in The Simpsons?

In the same episode, Homer Simpson is ordained on the internet and begins performing same-sex weddings.

Show producer Matt Groening dropped hints about the new storyline at a San Diego comic convention but he gave no clues as to which character will declare their homosexuality.

One obvious candidate is Waylon Smithers who is in love with nuclear power plant boss Mr Burns but his sexuality is no big secret.

Or maybe Marge's twin sisters Selma and Patty could announce they are lesbians after a string of doomed love affairs with men.

Groening also said he still plans to make a feature film of The Simpsons but production will not start until the TV series ends.