They`re not real, they`re only cartoons, most of them are for kids, none of them are out and proud, some of them aren`t particularly positive portrayals, but you can`t deny that there`s a whole world of ambiguously gay sexuality out there on our screens. Maybe these characters are the result of a mischievous pro-gay writer or artist behind the scenes, maybe we`re projecting our own fantasies onto them, but here they are: the gayest cartoon characters in the world.

1. Waylon Smithers
The closeted sidekick to Mr Burns in the Simpsons. There`s more to his loyalty to Burns than first meets the eye. Simpsons nerds will recall at least twenty episodes when Smithers declares his love, like the one where it appears that the world is coming to an end, Smithers says "Oh, what the hell," and kisses Mr. Burns full on the lips.

2. Peppermint Patty and Marcie
The ultimate pre-school butch-femme relationship.

3. Hopey
The `Love and Rockets` cutie is probably one of the most underrated lesbian cartoon characters in history. She`d beat the crap out of Tank Girl any day, and be back home in time to sort out her on-again/off-again lover, Maggie.

4. South Park
From Mr Garrison to Big Gay Al, to the episode when the whole town turns gay, it`s pointless picking out a gay character in this whirlpool of gayness. Sure, the makers often irritate some of the more pious queer activists, but lighten up, it`s only comedy.

5. Bugs Bunny
He cross-dresses, he loves opera, he`s got a very cute behind. What`s not gay about that?

6. Velma
She`s geeky, speccy and smart. Just take one look at her and you know she belongs to no man! She`s a lez, natch.

7. Yogi and Boo-Boo
Boo-boo is Yogi`s "little pal." Yeah, right, as if we`d buy that excuse. They`re both as gay as can be.

8. He-Man
Definitely one of those butch in the streets, femme in the sheets queens. If he were a real person He-Man would be the type of guy who works out at the gym and, when he`s not out cruising, spends his weekends gurning on ketamin at some of the less salubrous gay nightspots in town.

9. Beavis and Butthead
Their homophobia merely masks the fact that they are freaked out about the fact that they are themselves the gayest thing in town. The only word that describes them is closeted.

10. Batman and Robin
There`s nothing more to say about this pair.