Jennifer Aniston became emotional during a recent interview when she was asked about the hit show Friends.

The sitcom launched both her career and that of her late co-star, Matthew Perry.

Aniston was part of the ensemble cast from 1994-2004 alongside Perry, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc.

The comedy was a huge hit, dominating prime time, raking in awards and regularly attracting huge audience viewing figures across its decade-long run on NBC in the US. It was also popular around the world, including in the UK.

Aniston had to take time to collect herself when asked in an interview for Variety about what it was like for the actress to watch the show back now.

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She was appearing in Variety's Actors On Actors series, in which actors question each other about their careers.

Aniston had to take a moment to collect herself when a Variety producer suggested that her interview partner, Abbott Elementary star Quinta Brunson, ask her "what it's like to watch Friends now".

Before Brunson could ask the question, Aniston said: "Oh God, don't make me cry."

"I'm sorry, I just started thinking about..." an emotional Aniston added, seemingly in reference to Perry, who died unexpectedly at his home last October at the age of 54.

Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the manner of Perry's death to be an accident after his assistant found him face down in his swimming pool.

Brunson, 34, went on to assure Aniston that she didn't have to talk about the show, but the 55-year-old wanted to press on.

"No, I'm okay. It's happy tears," she replied, wiping her eyes.

After collecting herself, Aniston responded to Brunson, who had noted that Friends was turning 30 in September this year.

"The fact that it's had this long, wonderful life and it still means a lot to people is one of the greatest gifts I think all five of us - all six of us - we never could imagine," Aniston said.

She added: "And we see each other. I talked on FaceTime with Court last night for an hour, and Lisa and the boys, and we just have a really... it's a family forever."