The cast of Friends have broken their silence following the death of co-star Matthew Perry, issuing a joint tribute statement.
The star was found dead at his home in Los Angeles after an apparent drowning in his hot tub.
His sudden and tragic death at the age of 54 has shocked fans of the hit sitcom, which aired for 10 seasons, in which Perry starred as Chandler Bing.
And now Matthew Perry’s Friends co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow have spoken about their friend’s death.
In a joint statement to People, they said: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.
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“There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.
“In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”
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Results of Matthew Perry’s initial post-mortem are ‘inconclusive’ after he was found dead on Saturday 28 October.
Other Friends stars have also issued tributes, including Maggie Wheeler, who played Chandler’s girlfriend Janice (and possessed one of TV’s most iconic laughs).
Matthew Perry with Maggie Wheeler as Chandler and Janice in Friends
She wrote: “What a loss. The world will miss you Matthew Perry. The joy you brought to so many in your too short lifetime will live on. I feel so very blessed by every creative moment we shared.”
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Hank Azaria, a star on The Simpsons as well as playing David in Friends, praised Perry for helping him with his own sobriety journey, saying he took him to his first AA meeting.
He also spoke of his comedic talent, saying: “He just lived to laugh and every night he would – he was like a genius. He would weave — he would start to weave comedy threads together, just hanging out. A joke here, a joke there. A joke here, a joke there.
“And then by the end of the night, he’d weave them all together in this crescendo of hilarity. Most nights you spent with Matthew you were crying laughing by the end.
“As an actor, he was so brilliant. I just wish we – the world — I and the world — could have gotten what the rest of his career would’ve been.”
Warner Brothers wrote on the official Friends fan page: “We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all. Our heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all of his fans.”
Sir David Jason set for TV return in Only Fools and Horses documentary Christmas special
Danny Jones
In a surprise bit of festive news, the only and only Sir David Jason is returning for an Only Fools and Horses Christmas special this December. Lovely jubbly!
The best-loved and most-watched British comedy of all time will be back on our screens in documentary form this festive season, with Del Boy himself David Jason revisiting the iconic comedy character after 20 years he last played him on screen.
While the legendary sitcom was broadcast on BBC back in the day, the highly-anticipated Only Fools doc will be airing on Channel 5 right before Christmas as a special one-off programme.
Looking back on the show’s incredible run on UK screens over seven series and the several ‘Christmas Cracker’ specials, specifically, the latest Only Fools and Horses documentary will see Jason and a number of other guests appearing to chat about the legendary show.
The release date of the Only Fools special Christmas documentary is yet to be announced.
While it’s still unclear how many of the original cast will be appearing, Jason’s on-screen wife Tessa Peake-Jones (Raquel) is confirmed to be appearing along with other special guests including newscaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Bendiorm‘s Sherrie Hewson.
Sadly, a full theatrical reunion just isn’t on the cards following the deaths of Roger Lloyd Pack (Trigger), Kenneth MacDonald (Mike the Landlord) and Buster Merryfield (Uncle Albert) in the 30 years since the show ended its run.
Only Fools writer John Sullivan also sadly passed away aged 64 in 2011 and fellow co-star Nicholas Lyndhurst, a.k.a. Rodney Trotter, told Metro: “We can’t. John is no longer with us. John was the driving force of the show and we have also lost quite a few cast members now.
“I don’t think I could do it without them and I certainly couldn’t do it without John. At the risk of depressing everyone, I think the last two times I’ve seen David has been at funerals.”
Simply entitled, ‘The Story Of Only Fools And Horses At Christmas’, the 90-minute special is yet to have its broadcast date fully confirmed but you best keep your eyes peeled on the TV guide — we’ll let you know as soon we do.
Jason, 81, has only just recovered from hip surgery earlier this year, so it’ll be nice to see his familiar grin back on our screens.
Right, we’re off to binge a whole series on UK Gold.
The rumoured celebrity guest list at Chanel’s Manchester fashion show as first famous face arrives
Daisy Jackson
When a name as big as Chanel comes to Manchester, you can surely expect at least a few celebrity guests to come with it.
And sure enough, on the even of the Metiers D’Art fashion show, we’ve clocked our first A-lister in our hometown.
Actor Kristen Stewart has been spotted leaving The Stock Exchange Hotel, Gary Neville’s five-star establishment that also hosted Post Malone earlier this year.
The city’s luxury hotels have reportedly all been booked out for Chanel’s prestigious, invite-only fashion show, which will be taking over the Northern Quarter on Thursday 7 December.
So exactly who else is rumoured to be touching down in the city for the show?
The biggest name drop so far is Margot Robbie, Australian actress and star of this summer’s runaway box office hit Barbie.
Margot has famously been one of Chanel’s most recognisable ambassadors.
The brand’s other famous faces include fellow actor Timothee Chalamet, who is the ambassador for Bleu De Chanel, and also tipped to be visiting Manchester this week.
There are currently huge billboards plastered with his face all over the city centre.
Margot Robbie is a big name rumoured to attend the Manchester Chanel show. Credit: Wikiedia CommondsDavid and Victoria Beckham are rumoured to attend the Manchester Chanel show. Credit: InstagramKylie Jenner may make an appearance with her boyfriend, Chanel ambassador and actor Timothee ChalametNorthern lad Harry Styles is also hotly tipped to join the Chanel front row
These types of events usually attract some sort of Kardashian/Jenner member, and with Kylie Jenner currently dating Timothee, the young couple may make an appearance – though most will be holding their breath for big sister Kim.
Kendall Jenner is also on the rumoured celebrity guest list, as the supermodel has previously walked for Chanel.
Lily-Rose Depp seems a likely name to appear – the model, actor, and daughter of Johnny Depp was personally chosen by the late Karl Lagerfeld to be a Chanel ambassador.
Some of the most famous celebrities in the entire world have been in the UK for various events in the last week, including Beyonce and Jay-Z, and Taylor Swift. Will any of them extend their stay to come up north?
And then there are those with a local connection, like for Manchester United legend David Beckham, with high-fashion wife and Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.
Harry Styles could crop up too, with his roots just down the road in Holmes Chapel.
Vogue editor Anna Wintour seems the most likely of all to be sitting front row on Thomas Street tomorrow night.
Sacha Lord has already confirmed that he has received an invite, and Andy Burnham may well be given a seat too.
Daisy Jackson -
31st October 2023 
