Friends reunion: Matthew Perry confirms Chandler Bing will not be at Central Perk

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Washington Bureau Chief

News that the Friends cast would be reuniting for a two-hour special broke the internet earlier this week but sadly it looks like one Central Perk pal won’t be in attendance.

Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing in everybody’s favourite sitcom, is busy rehearsing for his new play The End of Longing in London and won’t be making it across the pond for the occasion.

“Regarding Matthew Perry and the James Burrows tribute, Matthew will not be attending, as he is in London in rehearsals for his play,” Perry’s representative Lisa Kastelar told US Weekly.

“NBC executives were aware of this prior to their TCA announcement yesterday. Matthew may tape something for the tribute. In other words, this is not the reunion people have been hoping for.”

The US network announced on Wednesday that producers were hoping “all six will be in the same room at the same time” for a tribute to comedy director James Burrows on Sunday 21 February. Fans were warned that busy schedules may make it “logistically” impossible, but that part was universally ignored in the excitement.

Matt LeBlanc, who played Joey, tweeted “Should be a good time!” after the news broke but as of yet there has been no word from Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer.

Past comments about a potential Friends reunion had dampened hopes of ever seeing one.

Kudrow, who played the ditzy Phoebe, once said that after a decade the show would be “so different that it wouldn’t be Friends anymore” while Aniston, who inspired a hairstyle trend as Rachel, insisted that it “ended at the right time when people still wanted more”.

But hey, don’t worry about it Chandler, it’s not like fans have been waiting 11 years for this or anything.