A Made in Chelsea star is set to sell his signed rare and original Friends script, to raise money for the Matthew Perry Foundation.
Ollie Locke will auction off the script from one of the show's most famous episode, The One Where Rachel Has A Baby, at the Hanson Ross Pop Culture Auction in Royston on April 12.
The script, which is original and signed by all six stars, is expected to fetch between £5,000 and £8,000, with part of the proceeds going to the Matthew Perry Foundation, an addiction charity set up in memory of the Chandler Bing actor following his death last year.
"Like most people, myself and my husband Gareth are huge Friends and Matthew Perry fans, so it made sense to do something to celebrate his life and honour his commitment to helping people battle addiction," Ollie said.
"I acquired what is a truly iconic script at auction, not long before before Matthew tragically died. It was so heart-breaking for us all. I felt he taught me comedy and was the background to my years growing up, and even still now. Friends is always on in our home.
"I watched Friends right from the beginning, in our dorm at school in fact. I remember watching Ross say the wrong name at the alter and having to wait months to find out what happened."
Explaining more about the script, Ollie continued: "It’s a 76-page long 'table read' script, also known as an organised reading script.
"That means it would have been in the room with all the cast members when scenes were being read out loud for the first time.
"It’s likely it was used by one of the Friends stars. It’s signed by all six of them. It’s very special. It’s even got the original writings before the final edit, which is very rare.
"I tucked it away at the back of a cupboard. It’s so important I haven’t even opened it. It’s in immaculate condition and, being an important collector’s item, I wanted it to stay that way."
"I hope people will come out in force to bid for the script and help Matthew’s charity.
"Perry once said, 'When I die, I want helping others to be the first thing that's mentioned. Addiction is far too powerful for anyone to defeat alone. But together, one day at a time, we can beat it'.
"I hope, together, we can honour a legendary actor by supporting a cause that meant so much to him."
Amanda Butler, director of operations at Hanson Ross, added: "Friends fever is on a high just now. The last episode was filmed 20 years ago but it’s still enjoyed by millions all over the world.
"Our January auction saw other Friends scripts, The One With Ross’s Wedding, Part I and Part II, achieve a premium inclusive total of £28,864, from a £600 to £800 estimate.
"It was found in a bin at the London TV studio where the episode was made in 1998. It sparked 219 advance bids from all over the world including the UK, USA, Germany, Spain, Australia, Ukraine, Dubai and Switzerland.
"We hope Ollie’s script will generate major excitement too, especially as the Matthew Perry Foundation will benefit."
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