The episode has met with a mixed response in the US

In There's Something About Marrying, which has aired in the US, Homer Simpson is ordained on the internet and performs dozens of same-sex marriages.

This prompts sister-in-law Patty to explain how she fell for professional golfer Veronica.

The episode, which ran with a parental advisory, will air in the UK in May.

In the much-hyped episode Veronica actually turns out to be a man, betrayed by a protruding Adam's apple which is unmasked at the altar.

Speculation on the identity of the gay character had been fierce, with fans guessing it might be Mr Burns' devoted sidekick Waylon Smithers or one or both of Homer's sisters-in-law, while bookmakers had been taking bets.

Controversial storylines

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation welcomed the development, describing it as a "ray of light".

The episode sees Homer charging $200 to marry couples in his garage.

However, L Brent Bozell, president of the Parents Television Council, said: "At a time when the public mood is overwhelmingly against gay marriage, any show that promotes gay marriage is deliberately bucking the public mood."

The Simpsons is noted for its controversial storylines, with Ned Flanders, Homer's neighbour, being one of the few born-again Christian characters on TV.