Apu will continue to feature inThe Simpsons, the show’s creator has confirmed.

Matt Groening made the announcement duringDisney’s D23 Expo in Anaheim over the weekend. It comes months after creators were accused of racial stereotyping via the character of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.

Variety reports that when Groening was asked about Apu’s future in the show, he replied: “Yes. We love Apu. We’re proud of Apu.”

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In 2017the long-running comedy series came under fire for its depiction of Kwik-E-Mart owner after Hari Kondabolu asked in his documentaryThe Problem With Apu how widely the character is considered to be an offensive stereotype to people of Indian and Asian descent.

Apu first appeared inThe Simpsons episode ‘The Telltale Head’ in 1990, voiced by white actor Hank Azaria.

Azaria – who voices other Simpsons characters – said he’d be “perfectly happy and willing to step aside,” from the character with regards to the controversy, adding, “listening to voices means inclusion in the writer’s room. I really want to see Indians, South Asian writers in the room. Not in a token way, but genuinely informing whatever new direction this character may take. Including how it is voiced, or not voiced.”

Rumours of Apu’s exit emerged last October via YouTube personality andCastlevania producer Adi Shankar who toldIndieWire that The Simpsons planned to “drop the Apu character” altogether “just to avoid the controversy.”

But executive producer Al Jean responded by saying that Shankar did “not speak for our show”.

The 31st season ofThe Simpsons premieres on September 29.

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• The Simpsons

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