Matthew Perry explained why he could never watch Friends back before he died

Matthew Perry previously explained why he could never watch Friends back.

The actor, best known for playing Chandler Bing in the beloved show, died yesterday (28 October) aged 54.

The star was reportedly found in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles.

NBC – the network which aired Friends - confirmed this tragic news in a statement, writing: “We are incredibly saddened by the too soon passing of Matthew Perry.

“He brought so much joy to hundreds of millions of people around the world with his pitch-perfect comedic timing and wry wit. His legacy will live on through countless generations.”

Perry was open about his struggles with addiction, and last year released his memoir Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir.

During promo for the book, he told CBC why he hadn’t watched back old episodes of Friends.

The actor said: “I didn’t watch the show, and haven’t watched the show, because I could go, 'Drinking, opiates, drinking, cocaine'.

Reisig & Taylor/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

"I could tell season by season by how I looked. And I don’t think anybody else can, but I certainly could.”

Perry added: “That’s why I don’t wanna watch it, because that’s what I see. That’s what I noticed when I watched it.”

However, he went on to say he was thinking about starting to watch the show again.

“First of all, it was an incredible ride,” he said. “But it’s been an incredible thing to watch it touch the hearts of different generations.

“It’s become this important, significant thing. And you know, I would watch that again – it was really funny and all the people were nice and I’ve been too worried about this.

“I want to watch Friends too.”

NBC

Following the actor’s death, fans have flooded social media with tributes, writing: “Thank you for all of the laughter and joy you brought to the world. I hope you are at peace and know how much you were beloved - truly beloved - by the world. Rest peacefully, F.R.I.E.N.D.”

Others called him a ‘legend’ and thanked him ‘for the laughs’.

One said: “I did survive very stressful times thanks to him and the rest of the gang. Feels like losing a friend, doesn’t it?”

And another wrote: “I’ve dreaded this day my whole life.”

According to a Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson, Perry’s death was treated as a ‘water rescue’.

An investigation is ongoing and there is currently no cause of death.

There was no apparent foul play.