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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Holly Willoughby giggles with delight as Friends set is recreated on This Morning

This Morning's Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield added to the excitement of the Friends reunion episode by setting up the ITV studio to resemble the show's iconic coffee house.

The TV duo lounged on a copy of the most-talked about sofa in New York in 'Central Perk', while laughing and reminiscing about the legendary show as the special reunion hit screens following a 17 year hiatus.

The one-off episode, which airs in the UK tonight on Sky One and NOW TV, had been repeatedly delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and was originally meant to be released in May 2020 but fans will finally be able to celebrate the iconic series alongside the six stars - and some special guests.

James Corden is on hosting duties while celebrity fans of the sitcom - David Beckham, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga to name a few - will also be stopping by.

Holly and Phil transformed the set into Central Perk (ITV)

This Morning host Philip revealed he had the once in a lifetime opportunity of watching the cult classic being filmed, saying: "I was lucky enough to watch one episode [being filmed], extraordinary how it worked...

"It didn't get the laugh they wanted so the warm up guy stopped filming and they all sat round table in flat and rewrote the scene.

The gang were overwhelmed to be back on set (Warner Brothers)

"Matt Perry central to that, he would say something burst out laughing, all learned new lines in 45 seconds, if audience laughed then, then they were happy!"

Friends favourite Jennifer Aniston was moved to tears as she reunited with her co-stars in the famous studio.

Rachel Green actress Jen was first to need the tissues as she joined Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay, and Ross Geller actor David Schwimmer in the famous flat on the set.

As soon as she walked on she had her hand over her mouth, trying to conceal her emotions before letting it all out as she hugged her close pals.

Shouting: "It's amazing.... holy crap," Jen tried to take it all in before hunting down the tissues.

The gang's reunion has an army of celebrity supporters, one of which is David Beckham.

David, 46, is a super fan of the hit sitcom and no doubt jumped at the chance to be a part of the one-off special.

The father-of-four is grinning from ear-to-ear as he talks about the show and, in particular, his favourite episode.

Asked which character he most relates to, former footballer David replied: "I would have to say I’m most like Monica because I’m a clean freak!"

Legendary series Friends is back after 17 years (NBC via Getty Images)

Referring to his stand out episode of the show, he said: "My favourite episode has to be where they’re all getting ready in the apartment.

"Ross is hurrying everyone up coz he has a huge speech to make and he’s nervous. When Chandler goes to the toilet, Joey sits in Chandler’s chair and when he comes back it all escalates!

"It’s one of those episodes that when I’m away and I’m feeling a little bit low, I put it on and it makes me smile - almost to the point of crying," he added.

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