Instantly recognisable either in glorious technicolour or in outline, Homer Simpson, doyen of the Simpson clan, has not only become one of the most popular cartoon characters of all time but one of the few to be responsible for an entry in the Oxford English Dictionary. His familiar “D’oh!” (which appears in scripts as “annoyed grunt”) was included in the 2002 edition.

While Homer usually displays many American working class stereotypes (he is overweight, incompetent, intolerant, and a regular heavy drinker) he has occasional flashes of genius and, within his own limited value set, a strong sense of integrity. Named after his creator Matt Groening’s father, much of the best humour around Homer’s character derives from his extreme confidence: no matter how little skill, experience, or knowledge he has about anything he tries to do, he is always convinced of his ultimate success, often with hilarious consequences.