They say good things come to those that wait – so, needless to say, our expectations are through the roof for the highly anticipated Friends reunion.
But apparently, there’s at least one person out there who’s not feeling quite so confident… step forward, Jennifer Aniston.
According to insiders, the actress is worried that the one-off special might not live up to fans’ gargantuan expectations – and that viewers will inevitably criticise her the most if it’s a big flop.
“Jen is probably the most nervous of all the cast because, rightly or wrongly, the pressure and spotlight will inevitably be directed at her,” says an insider close to the star, who – alongside her five former castmates – is rumoured to be raking in over $2m for the reunion.
CHECK OUT A-list stars you had no idea were in Friends
Friends: A-list stars you had no idea were in the show (slider)
1 of 10Dakota Fanning - The One Who Gives Joey A Should To Cry On
She made the transition from precocious child star to A-lister years ago, but aged ten, Dakota Fanning played Mackenzie, a young girl who becomes Joey's confidante. She's all grown up now – and still a bit precocious.
2 of 10Steve Zahn - The One Who's Secretly Married To Phoebe
He's starred in Dallas Buyers Club and Modern Family, but before all that, Steve Zahn played the iconic role of Canadian ice dancer Duncan, Phoebe's secret gay husband, who she married to help get a green card.
3 of 10Rebecca Romijn - The One Who's Absolutely Filthy
Back in 1997, Rebecca Romijn was a model who got her first-ever acting gig on Friends. She played Cheryl, Ross' beautiful girlfriend with a filthy apartment. We reckon the X-Men and Ugly Betty star can now afford a cleaner.
4 of 10Alex Borstein - The One-Woman Show
"Why don't you like me?" That's the big question that Alex Borstein yells as she makes her debut fronting a one-woman show that opens with the line, "Chapter One: My First Period." These days, everyone likes Alex, who voices Family Guy matriarch Lois.
5 of 10Cole Sprouse - The One Who Calls Ross Dad
Cole Sprouse played Ross' son Ben years before he caused double-trouble with his brother Dylan on The Suite Life Of Zack And Cody. Yes, they grew up and got unnervingly attractive. Consider this, guys: Ben would now be 25.
6 of 10Ellen Pompeo - The One Who Ross And Chandler Fancied In College
She's one of the highest-paid actresses on TV. But before Grey's Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo played Missy Goldberg, Ross and Chandler's former classmate, who used to make out with Chandler in the science lab after hours. Dr Grey would be appalled.
7 of 10Dan Castellaneta - The One Who Knows Something About A Monkey
You will know Dan Castellaneta by his famous alter-ego Homer Simpson. But before he was rolling in "D'oh!" he appeared as a janitor at San Diego Zoo, who tells Ross what happened to his monkey, Marcel.
8 of 10Hank Azaria - The One Who Goes To Minsk
Proving that The Simpsons and Friends universes co-exist, here we have Hank Azaria, who's best known for playing every other character in Springfield, including Moe and Chief Wiggum. Hank played David, who breaks Phoebe's heart when he moves to Minsk.
9 of 10Mae Whitman - The One Who Just Wants To Sell Cookies
Her Arrested Development character Anne was memorably known for being forgettable – so it's fitting that we'd forgotten about Mae Whitman's star-turn as Sarah Tuttle, an adorable Brown Bird girl who breaks her leg selling cookies. Correction: Ross breaks her leg.
10 of 10Jane Lynch - The One Who Sells Monica and Chandler A House
Rumour has it that Jane Lynch auditioned for the role of Phoebe. Instead, she had to make do with the slightly less significant role of Ellen the estate agent. She later made her massive mark as Glee's tyrannical Sue Sylvester.
“The endless delays [filming was held up for a year due to the pandemic] have only added to the tension and pressure, and she’s worried that it will be her who gets hammered by critics if any of them come across as dry or awkward on the panel.”
Look! More news!
Last month, David Schwimmer caused huge excitement after confirming he’d be flying out to LA in a matter of weeks to film the special, which means it could be happening as we speak.
Soon after, the show’s former set designer Greg Gande caused an internet meltdown after posting a picture of Monica’s apartment looking just like it did back in 2004, alongside the caption, “Ssssh, something’s happening, déjà vu… coming alive once again.”
So, yes, it’s fair to say that our interest, excitement and total utter impatience is at an all-time high. No pressure, Jen… promise.
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.