‘I would step aside’: Hank Azaria reveals his eyes have been ‘opened’ following Simpson’s Apu controversy

Hank Azaria has said that his eyes have been "opened" following backlash surrounding his Simpson’s character Apu, admitting that he is willing to “step aside" from the role.

The show’s Kwik-E-Mart character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon faced initial criticism for its “racist stereotypical portrayal of people of Indian and Asian decent".

Speaking on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Azaria, who voices multiple characters on the show, revealed he understood the concerns surrounding the character.

The American actor said: “I think the most important thing is to listen to Indian people and their experience with it.

“I really want to see Indian, South Asian writers in the writers room, including how [Apu] is voiced or not voiced.

"I'm perfectly willing to step aside. It just feels like the right thing to do to me.

"It's come to my attention more and more over the past couple years.”

Last year comedian Hari Kondabolu’s documentary The Problem with Apu sought to expose the problematic nature of the south-Asian character.

After the Colbert interview aired Kondabolu tweeted: "Thank you, @HankAzaria. I appreciate what you said & how you said it."

Earlier this month, in an attempt to address the initial criticism, The Simpsons aired an episode which sees characters Marge and Lisa approach the issue.

In the episode, Marge reads her favourite childhood book to her daughter.

However, she realises the story is more racist and offensive that she remembered and attempts to edit it as she reads it out.

Speaking in the monologue, Lisa said: "Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?"

A photo of Apu appears and Marge responds: "Some things will be dealt with at a later date."

Lisa adds: "If at all."