MATTHEW Perry won't be attending the 'Friends' reunion.

It was reported earlier this week that the original cast of the television show - Matthew, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc - would be reuniting to honour director James Burrows.

James directed 15 episodes of 'Friends' and recently celebrated directing his 1,000th TV episode when he helmed NBC's 'Crowded'.

Asked about the prospect of all six cast members together, NBC's Robert Greenblatt admitted: "We are hoping that all six of them will be in the same room at the same time, but I'm not sure we can logistically pull that off."

However, it has now been revealed that Matthew, who played Chandler Bing in the programme, won't be there in person.

His representative Lisa Kateler wrote in an email to reporters: "Matthew will not be attending as he is in London in rehearsals for his play, The End of Longing, which begins previews on Feb. 2 at the playhouse Theatre. NBC executives were aware of this prior to their TCA announcement yesterday.

"Matthew may tape something for the tribute. In other words, this is not the reunion people have been hoping for."

James is also renowned for his work on 'Taxi', 'Cheers', 'Frasier', 'Will & Grace', 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'Mike & Molly' and many of the castmembers of these shows are expected to also appear on the NBC TV special.

The special, which is being produced by Sean Hayes from 'Will & Grace', will be taped later this month in Los Angeles and air on Sunday, February 21.