Simpsons in 100% pay rise

The voices behind The Simpsons have called off their strike after being promised a 100 per cent pay rise, it emerged today.

The deal, which is said to be worth about $5.5 million a year (£3.1 million) for each actor, will see America's first family return to work this week after a bitter dispute.

The show's six principal cast members, who provide the voices for several characters including Homer, Marge, Bart and Lisa, agreed to a final "take it or leave it" deal to double their pay from $125,000 to $250,000 per episode.

Although the financial package is yet to be officially confirmed, it is widely believed that each actor will walk away with $5.5 million for every 22-episode series - far less than the $8 million originally sought by the cast.

In a move that will relieve 20th Century Fox TV, which feared the end of the show if a settlement was not reached, they also gave up their key demand for a share in the show's profits, which has reportedly generated $1.5 billion since 1989.

"We couldn't be happier to have reached a multi-year deal with the enormously talented cast of The Simpsons," the studio said in a statement. "Fans will be pleased to know that despite our recent production delay, we are optimistic that they can look forward to a full season's episodes next year."

Production of America's longestrunning television comedy, which averages about 11.3 million viewers a week in the US and millions more worldwide, stopped in March. Dan Castellaneta (Homer), Nancy Cartwright (Bart), Yeardley Smith (Lisa), Julie Kavner (Marge), Hank Azaria (bartender Moe and Apu from the convenience) and Harry Shearer (Homer's tyrannical boss, Mr Burns) accepted the deal after being given a 24-hour deadline.