Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Kathryn Williams

Friends Reunion: Why Matthew Perry's speech was slurred during the TV special

The Friends Reunion is now streaming across the world but some fans are worried about Chandler Bing actor, Matthew Perry, whose speech was slurred.

The six actors, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt Le Blanc, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Perry, share an emotional meeting on the sitcom set and fans are loving seeing them back there.

But Perry had raised concerns as he's seen slurring his lines on the show, as well as in an earlier interview with People magazine.

The reason for this is reported to be the aftermath of dental surgery, according to The Sun.

A source said: "Matthew turned up to the reunion and members of his team said that he had an emergency tooth procedure that day.

"That was said to impact his wellbeing and also how he was feeling.

"He had been in pain from what we understand, which caused the slurred speech.

"Obviously no one wants to film after a procedure, but it happened.

"The feeling was one of huge sympathy for Matthew especially in recent days given how people have reacted online.

"Matthew has told those around him that he is sober, and there is no need to worry."

It was a poignant moment in the reunion when Perry, who has faced addiction issues in the past, admitted that he didn't 'remember three years' of making the show and that his anxiety about getting laughs from the studio audience became that much he felt like he would 'die'.

He said on the show: "To me, I felt like I was going to die if they didn't laugh.

"It's not healthy, for sure, but I would sometimes say a line and they wouldn't laugh and I would sweat and just go into convulsions if I didn't get the laugh I was supposed to get. I would freak out."

This is what the kids of Ross and Rachel look like now.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.