Indeedily-doodily: Harry Shearer, voice of Ned Flanders and Mr Burns, has quit 'The Simpsons’

Harry Shearer, the Emmy-winning actor who voices pious neighbour Ned Flanders, greedy boss Mr Burns and others in The Simpsons, said Thursday he is leaving the show - but the show’s manager hopes to change his mind.

Shearer tweeted a message from James L. Brooks, an executive producer of the hit series, relayed by his lawyer.

“Show will go on, Harry will not be part of it, wish him the best,” Shearer quotes Brooks as saying, adding on his own behalf: “This because I wanted what we’ve always had: the freedom to do other work.”

WATCH: Harry Shearer and his Simpsons characters on 'Inside the Actors' Studio'

The hit series’ showrunner, Al Jean, told the New York Times in an email Thursday: “Harry Shearer was offered the same deal the rest of the cast accepted, and passed. The show will go on and we wish him well.”