Bart Simpson is famous for making funny prank phone calls but his latest could be his most ingenious yet.

Executives at 20th Century Fox are reportedly fuming over a voicemail message recorded by the character’s “voice”, Nancy Cartwright, promoting an upcoming Church of Scientology event.

The audio was posted on the Internet by blogger Perez Hilton on Wednesday but was quickly removed due to a copyright claim by 20th Century Fox after the story began to make headlines.

In the message, Cartwright begins by introducing herself as Bart in the character’s voice before revealing her true identity.

“Hey, what’s happening man, this is Bart Simpson…”, Cartwright says, then laughs using Bart’s trademark chuckle.

During the rest of the message, the actress switches between her own voice and that of the animated character she has brought to life for more than 20 years, ending several of her sentences with the word “man”.

“It’s gonna be a blast, man!" she says, laughing as Bart, before urging listeners to call and confirm their attendance at the event in Los Angeles on 31 January.

In 1998, Cartwright joined other cast members in poking fun at her religion in an episode of the hit show called "The Joy of Sect," in which the Simpsons family joins a cult called the Movementarians, based in part on Scientology.

Since becoming a Scientologist in 1989, Cartwright has donated millions of dollars to the Church founded by L. Ron Hubbard.

The actress credits Scientology for much of what she has achieved.

“Before Scientology I had one dream of making a living, from doing voice-overs for animation,'' Cartwright said in 2006.

“After I became a Scientologist my abilities expanded so far and above what I originally dreamed that I've amazed even myself.''

Other celebrity Scientology followers include Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstey Alley.

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