Friends ends

More than 50 million people are expected to see the final episode of hit sitcom "Friends" when it airs in America tonight

17:00 06 May 2004

More than 50 million people are expected to see the final episode of hit sitcom "Friends" when it airs in America tonight.

The final hour-long special will be aired at 21:00 East-Coast time (02:00BST), ending the show's ten year run.

Viewers will tune in to see if Ross and Rachel finally sort things out; how Phoebe handles married life; and if Chandler and Monica succeed in their quest for a baby.

A number of scenes have been filmed without an audience to keep the ending under-wraps - with the cast and crew sworn to secrecy.

The programme has attracted legions of fans and been shown in more than 100 countries since it was launched on September 22nd 1994.

It has made household names, not to mention small fortunes, for the six "Friends" - David Schwimmer (Ross), Jennifer Aniston (Rachel), Matthew Perry (Chandler), Courteney Cox (Monica), Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe), and Matt LeBlanc (Joey)

The end of their ten year relationship provoked emotions on set, sure to be mirrored in living rooms across America tonight.

LeBlanc said: "I think it was Lisa Kudrow that started to cry first.

"I looked at Jen[nifer Aniston] and Courteney [Cox], and they were visibly upset. And then I looked at [David] Schwimmer, who is kind of a rock emotionally.

"He's really the consummate professional. And David was visibly really upset... and I just lost it.

"And then all of us had to go back to make-up."

UK fans will have to wait until May 28th for the finale to be broadcast - but a DVD of the final episode, alone with the pilot and extras, will be available in five days for those with all-region DVD players.