Despite years and years of protesting, “we’re just good friends” (who hasn’t used that line… am I right?) it appears that everyone’s favourite puppet BFFs, Bert and Ernie from Seseame Street, are officially coming OUT of the closet.

Irish betting firm, Paddy Power, have had wagers running on which TV couple would be the first to reveal their sexuality after gay right campaigners hounded Seseame Street about Bert and Ernie’s ‘special’ friendship. Favourites to be ‘outed’ were Mr Burns and Smithers from The Simpsons, at 7/4, which I find somewhat short-sighted considering that Mr Burns is incapable of love but whatever. Bert and Ernie closely followed with 12/1 odds with the lucky winner earning himself €60… WOW.

For anyone still doubting, I mean, two male puppets can totally be best friends forever, check out the following video below (prepare to cringe)…

Despite all of the (inappropriate for a children’s educational show) sexual tension between the pair, the producers initially refused to give their characters a sexual preference due to the fact that they’re puppets with the primary purpose of teaching children how to spell and be friends. This revelation comes after a long drawn-out petition from gay rights campaigners, urging the producers to see the couple become Sesame Street’s first married gay couple. Personally I remain unconvinced… Ernie is just WAY too immature to sustain any sort of meaningful romantic relationship.

But good luck to the happy couple, nevertheless!

Words: Grace Evenhuis