[Matt]

Seth MacFarlane is to lend his voice to an upcoming episode of The Simpsons.

The Family Guy creator's guest role is in the episode 'Dangers on a Train', which will be The Simpsons' season 25 premiere next year.

'Dangers on a Train' sees Marge Simpson being pursued by a married man (MacFarlane), who she meets when she accidentally stumbles onto a dating website.

Comic Lisa Lampanelli will be playing the overbearing wife of MacFarlane's character Ben.

Simpsons executive producer Al Jean told Entertainment Weekly that the episode will also poke fun at the rivalry between his show and Family Guy.

"We thought we had a great part that he'd be perfect for, and it would be great to have him on our show, so it worked out just right," Jean commented.

"There's been a little rivalry. We're both humour shows and we make jokes, but it's always been friendly."

Jean also expressed hopes that some Simpsons castmembers will make appearances on Family Guy in the future.

"I'm hopeful that there will be something of us on their show but that's up to them. We'd certainly welcome it," the executive said.

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