Matthew Perry asked 'Friends' writers to cut storyline amid fears fans would never forgive Chandler

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By Kim Novak

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Chandler Bing and Monica Geller's romance could have ended in heartbreak were it not for Matthew Perry stepping in to ask Friends writers to change the script.

Monica and Chandler, played by Courteney Cox and the late Perry, are one of the sitcom's most-loved couples, having initially got together in secret due to Monica being the sister of Chandler's best friend Ross Geller (David Schwimmer).

And while the pair faced some obstacles in their relationship - because who doesn't? - on the whole, they were one of the show's most solid couples.

However, it has now been revealed that Friends writers had initially planned for Chandler to cheat on Monica in one episode, which Perry successfully fought to have removed.

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Chandler and Monica's relationship could have faced a serious obstacle. Credit: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

According to Lisa Cash, who appeared on the episode 'The One In Vegas: Part 1' which aired in 1999 in season five of Friends, the fictional couple had initially been planned to have a very different storyline,

Cash had been hired as an extra for the episode, but the role she was playing ended up being very different from what she'd been hired for after Perry spoke up to alter the script.

According to the actress, who spoke to TMZ, the scene was initially meant to involve Monica and Chandler getting into a heated argument before Cash's character brought him up room service to his hotel room.

The pair were meant to hit it off so well that Chandler would end up cheating on Monica with the hotel staffer, which would have led to serious repercussions for the pair.

She explained to the publication: "Basically the scene was Chandler and Monica were arguing in Vegas about her having lunch with Richard [her ex], and initially in our script, Chandler goes up to the hotel room, orders room service and I bring it up as a hotel worker and we end up talking and laughing and connecting, and Chandler ends up cheating on Monica with my character."

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Chandler and Monica were one of the show's most-loved couples. Credit: Getty Images

Cash revealed that the cast had rehearsed the original version and it was only the day before the scene was due to be shot that it ended up being changed after Perry appealed to the writer that the "audience would never forgive him for cheating on Monica".

"That would have changed possibly the course of the show and Chandler's character," she added.

Despite her storyline being cut at the last minute, Cash still managed to get a small role on the show as a flight attendant looking after Ross and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) on the plane to Vegas.

Cash admitted that it could have been "intimidating" coming in as an extra on season five of one of the biggest shows at the time at the start of her acting career, but Perry made her feel comfortable.

She explained: "I just felt so comfortable and he was really likable and welcoming and just made me feel at ease, and I had fun.

"It was just really fun doing the scene with him, and it was easy doing the scene with him, too. That was such a tribute to him for making me feel comfortable with him like that."

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Matthew Perry tragically died at just 54 years old. Credit: Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

Thankfully, the writers decided to spare the viewers the heartbreak of seeing Chandler and Monica's relationship be potentially ruined by a meaningless fling and let them have their happy ever after.

The anecdote comes after Perry's funeral was held over the weekend, at which all of his Friends castmates were in attendance.

The 54-year-old had died on October 28 after being found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home, believed to have drowned.

His cause of death has yet to be confirmed pending toxicology results, which can take several weeks to be completed, and no foul play is suspected at this time. 

Featured image credit: Trench Shore/WireImage/Getty Images