Losing a friend - 8th November 2023

Matthew Perry, one of the stars of the smash hit TV sitcom 'Friends' has died. Perry who was just 54 was found unresponsive at his home in Los Angeles and first responders were unable to revive him. The cause of death may not be known for some time.

Acting since the age of 11, Perry's big break had come when he was cast as Chandler Bing in a pilot drama entitled 'Six of One'. The subsequent series was later released under the title Friends and rocketed the 24 year old Perry, the youngest member of the cast, to international stardom.

As news of his death broke, fans paid tribute to the star outside the Friends apartment in New York. Travelling from Nashville to pay her respects, here's Hope Pace.

Hope Pace: "Well, I've been fighting tears since I got here. I came because I was able, and I think it's important to pay respect to people who played a big part in our culture."

Nearly twenty years after the show ended in 2004, fans around the world, like Desislaba Stoeva, continue to watch the series almost daily.

Desislaba Stoeva: "Feel very sad. It's gonna be weird rewatching it again. I actually watch it almost every day. I think he brought a lot of himself into the character and transformed it into something more than what it was."

In spite of his stardom and the adoration of fans, Perry had his struggles. Addicted to alcohol from the age of 14 and later prescription drugs, including opiates, he attended rehab on several occasions.

However, the impact of drugs on his body caused him innumerable health problems, which left him in critical condition once before. Surviving, he became an advocate for people suffering from addiction, even going as far as converting his former mansion into a rehab centre.

For his many fans it was his kindness and care for others that shone through the screen in the role for which he'll always be remembered, Chandler Bing in Friends.

Katie Cutler: "He was such a heartwarming, kind, uplifting person that I feel like everyone could just turn on the TV and feel immediately comforted by him."