In a Friends secret that nobody saw coming, the show's stars Jennifer Aniston and David Schwimmer admitted they very nearly got together off screen as their characters grew closer.
The relationship between Ross and Rachel was one of the American sitcom's biggest storylines, keeping fans guessing right until the final episode with the famous "I got off!" scene as Rachel abandoned a flight to rush back to the apartment to see Ross.
And, spilling secrets from behind the scenes in the Friends reunion, David and Jennifer admitted that their on-screen romance was close to being replicated away from the cameras.
Speaking to Friends reunion host James Corden, David said: "The first season, I had a major crush on Jen," with Jennifer quickly confirming it "was reciprocated" on her part.
David added: "At some point we were both crushing hard on each other, but it was like two ships passing because one of us was always in a relationship
"And we never crossed that boundary. You know, we respected that, but we both…"
While co-star Matt Le Blanc called "bulls***" on David's claims he and Jennifer they never took their on-screen chemistry further, Jennifer maintained their first kiss was when Ross and Rachel first locked lips on screen.
She explained: "I remember saying one time to David, 'it's going to be such a bummer if the first time you and I actually kiss is going to be on national television'.
"Sure enough, the first time we kissed was in that coffee shop. But we just channelled all of our adoration and love for each other into Ross and Rachel."
The exposure of David and Jennifer's near relationship has proved too much for some fans. One tweeted: "I don’t think I’ll ever be okay after knowing that Jennifer Aniston & David Schwimmer were crushing over each other and were reflecting that in Ross & Rachel!"
Another posted: "I tried holding myself together. But when David and Jen admitted that they put their years of adulation and crush for each other into Ross & Rachel.. it just tugged a string"
