Grab a tissue because the divorce we thought would never happen is about to.

Marge and Homer have been the bedrock of the Simpsons, TV's most dysfunctional cartoon family, but now after spending 27 years together on the small screen they are to 'legally split' in the new season.

Speaking to Variety, The Simpsons executive producer Al Jean, said "In the premiere (of the new season), it’s discovered after all the years Homer has narcolepsy and it’s an incredible strain on the marriage. Homer and Marge legally separate."

But it seems the split is not only down to Homer's extreme tendency to fall asleep everywhere; Lena Dunham is the other woman.

The Girls writer, director and actress plays a twenty-something pharmacist in the upcoming episodes, which Homer falls in love with, says Al Jean. A description of the story line reads that he meets her when she "fills out a prescription to cure his condition of sleeping at work".

Marge and Homer Simpson to divorce thanks to Lena Dunham