Glee to deal with Monteith's drug addiction

Cory Monteith and Lea Michele performing on Glee. Photo / AP

Glee's Cory Monteith tribute episode will deal with drug addiction.

The 31-year-old actor - who battled a drug problem since he was a teenager and first entered rehab at the age of 19 - died from a heroin and alcohol overdose on July 13.

In a special episode to be aired on October 10, Monteith's character, Finn Hudson, will be killed off.

Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly told reporters at the Summer Television Critics Association tour: "[October 10] is the episode where Monteith's character will be written off and will deal directly with drug addiction and with the circumstances surrounding Monteith's death."

However, when asked if Finn will die from an overdose, he said: "No. I can't confirm that at all. we're going to speak to that issue with the PSAs [Public Service Announcements].

Creator Ryan Murphy will film PSAs with the cast, to air during the episode, where they will speak about drug addiction.

Although Monteith had been to rehab in March following a relapse, Reilly admitted his death came as a shock.

He said: "He was not a problem. It was an accident that happened to somebody struggling with an addiction."

He also praised the actor's girlfriend and co-star, Lea Michele, for being a "pillar of strength" following Monteith's death.

He said: "She was the first one to say I want to get back to work."

Meanwhile, he confirmed that money raised from music sales from the episode would be used to start a fund for Monteith.

- Bang! Showbiz