Apu is set to be axed from The Simpsons following racial controversy

The Simpsons will axe the character of Apu following racial controversy. Photo / Supplied

After months of controversy surrounding the racial treatment of beloved The Simpsons character Apu, one of the show's producers has revealed the acharacter will be axed.

"I've verified from multiple sources now: They're going to drop the Apu character altogether," producer Adi Shankar has told IndiWire.

"They aren't going to make a big deal out of it, or anything like that, but they'll drop him altogether just to avoid the controversy," Shankar said.

The popular show came under fire over its portrayal of convenience store Kwik-owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, who first appeared on the show in 1990.

The criticism of Apu's character first surfaced in November 2017 with the release ofcomedian Hari Kondabolu's documentary The Problem With Apu.

Kondabolu said the character and his thick Indian accent was based on hurtful stereotypes.

"Everything with Apu is like this running joke," Kondabolu told the New York Times. "And the running joke is that he's Indian."

Earlier this year, The Simpsons addressed the racial controversy surrounding the character in a brief scene of an episode that was described as a "slap in the face."

The show producers slipped in a scene with Lisa and Marge Simpson, who is reading an updated version of The Princess in the Garden that was edited to make it acceptable for 2018.

At one point, Lisa turns to the camera and says: "Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?"

Lisa then looks at a picture of Apu with the catchphrase "Don't have a cow!" written on it.

"Some things will be dealt with at a later date," Marge says.

"If at all," Lisa responds.

The episode attempted to bandaid the issue but was met with further controversy.

#TheSimpsons completely toothless response to @harikondabolu #TheProblemWithApu about the racist character Apu:

"Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect... What can you do?" pic.twitter.com/Bj7qE2FXWN

— soham (@sohamberlamps) April 9, 2018

Shankar views the decision to axe Apu as a mistake, saying: "If you are a show about cultural commentary and you are too afraid to comment on the culture, especially when it's a component of the culture you had a hand in creating, then you are a show about cowardice."

"It's not a step forward, or step backwards, it's just a massive step sideways."