Friends director James Burrows says Matthew Perry’s castmates were ‘destroyed’ by his death

Friends director James Burrows has given an insight into how the Friends cast are holding up following Matthew Perry’s death.

Burrows, 82, who directed the first four episodes of the hit 90s sitcom, said that upon hearing of Perry's passing, he reached out to some of the show’s cast – Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow. “I had to have a couple of days to just let it soak in,” Burrows told the Today show on Thursday. “He was part of a family and he was the first one to not be part of that family anymore.”

“I texted the girls the day we found out and they were destroyed. It was a brother dying,” he continued.

Adding: “It's so sad. I want him to be remembered as a wonderful actor, a funny man and a wonderful friend to a lot of people.”

Perry died aged 54 in an apparent drowning after being discovered in the outdoor hot tub at his Los Angeles home on October 28.

An exact cause of death has been “deferred” as the coroner awaits further toxicology results, which can take weeks.

A few days after his death, Perry's Friends castmates Aniston, Cox, Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlancissued a joint statement.

It read: “We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.

“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,” the statement said. “For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.”