Matthew Perry demanded controversial storyline be cut from Friends

The actor – who played Chandler on the beloved sitcom – reportedly refused to take part in a storyline that he knew was a bad idea.

Friends star Matthew Perry died late last month.

Could this storyline be any more controversial?

Less than two weeks after the tragic death of beloved Friends star Matthew Perry – best known as the sarcastic, loveable Chandler Bing – the very scandalous scene he demanded be cut from the show has been revealed.

Actress Lisa Cash appeared in season five of the hit show in 1999 as the flight attendant who serves Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) in the episode ‘The One in Vegas: Part One’.

Perry was found dead at the age 54 last month. Picture: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Speaking to TMZ recently, she explained that she’d actually initially been cast as a hotel worker in Las Vegas, with whom Chandler winds up cheating on his girlfriend, Monica (Courteney Cox) after they have a fight.

“I came in as a guest star and I was super excited,” Cash told the publication.

“The scene was Chandler and Monica were arguing in Vegas about having lunch with Richard. Initially in our script, Chandler goes up to the hotel room, orders room service and I bring it up [to him] as a hotel worker. We end up talking and laughing and connecting and Chandler ends up cheating on Monica with my character.”

Chandler (played by Perry) and Monica (Cox) were an extremely popular couple among ans. Picture: NBCU Photo Bank

But Perry couldn’t go through with it.

“We had rehearsed it and everything,” Cash continued to TMZ.

“The day before we were shooting in front of a live audience, I was told that Perry went to the writers and said the audience would never forgive [Chandler] for cheating on Monica.

“He was probably right! That would’ve changed possibly the course of the show and his character.”

While her original role was cut from the episode, Cash was quickly recast as the flight attendant.

And despite them never making it on-screen together, she said she has wonderful memories of rehearsing with Perry on the deleted scene.

“I felt so comfortable,” Cash said.

“He was so likeable and welcoming and just made me feel at ease. I had so much fun. It was so much fun doing the scene with him and it was easy.”

Perry knew fans would never forgive him if Chandler cheated. Picture: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

A private funeral was held in Los Angeles over the weekend for Perry, who was found dead on October 28 in an apparent drowning at the age of 54.

An assistant discovered him underwater in his hot tub and called emergency services, but the actor was unresponsive before they arrived.

Perry’s autopsy is reportedly finished, but a coroner has ordered further investigation, including a toxicology test, which may take months.

Three days after his shock death, the “devastated” Friends cast released a heart-wrenching joint statement to People about their beloved pal.

“We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” their statement read.

“There is so much to say, but right now we’re going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.”

“In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”

The message was then signed by Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.

Originally published as Matthew Perry demanded controversial storyline be cut from Friends