David Schwimmer: 'There is no Friends reunion'

A scene from the finale of Friends.

Calm down, Friends fans. This isn't the reunion of Ross, Rachel, Monica, Joey, Chandler and Phoebe that you're hoping for.

Fans of long-running sitcom Friends were up in arms last week after a reunion special was announced as part of a tribute show for comedy director Jimmy Burrows.

But David Schwimmer, who played Ross on the show, says there won't be a reunion of any kind.

"There's no Friends reunion," Schwimmer told E! Online.

"It's a tribute to Jimmy Burrows who we love and I'm just thrilled to be a part of it. As many of us that can be there will be there and the casts of so many shows are going to try to be there - Frasier, Cheers, Will and Grace, it goes on. Taxi.

"This man is an incredible director who helped define situation comedy in this country in the last 40 years so I love him and I'm excited to be there."

Schwimmer has "no idea" what will happen when he shows up for the show.

He told Us Weekly magazine: "I have no idea of what's expected of us - I honestly don't.
"I'm flying in that day, so I'm just showing up. From what I've been told from Sean Hayes, we're all going to come up on stage and talk about Jim and give him a hug."

Matthew Perry is the only main member of the 'Friends' cast who won't be appearing, as he will be rehearsing for stage play The End of Longing in London but David supports his decision.

He said: "He's working in London - I'm rooting for him and his new play. I'm just thrilled that so many people will be there."

Perry recently revealed he will still be involved in the show - which airs on NBC on February 21 - even though he won't be there.

He said: "It's not the Friends reunion that everyone is hoping. I'm going to be introducing them from [London], because I'm doing the play here and can't be there."

There have been rumours of a reunion since the beloved sitcom came to an end in 2004.

Friends fans have long been hoping for a series comeback or a movie spin off of the show. The cast haven't been seen together for nearly 12 years.

Three cast members, Jennifer Anniston, Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox, made a partial reunion happen for a Jimmy Kimmel skit about the show last year.

The Burrows tribute will air on February 21.

- Agencies