Friends co-creator insists Matthew Perry ‘seems better’ despite fans claiming he ‘slurred his words’ in recent interview

FRIENDS co-creator insisted that Matthew Perry “seems strong and better.”

The comments come as fans claim the actor “slurred his words” in a recent interview.

While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter about the recent Friends reunion on HBO Max, executive producer Kevin Bright said of the 51-year-old actor: “I talked to him. It was great seeing him again.

“And what people say is what people say. I don’t have any to say about that, except it was great to see him. And I think he’s very funny on the show.”

He added: “But yes, I think he’s OK. He seems stronger and better since the last time I saw him, and excited about going forward.”

The popular sitcom’s co-creators Marta Kauffman, David Crane and Kevin, as well as reunion director Ben Winston, also spoke to the outlet during a separate interview.

While discussing how Matthew acted during the reunion, Ben said: “He was great. People can sometimes just be unkind. I wish they weren’t.”

The director continued: “I loved working with him.

“He’s a brilliantly funny man and I thought he had some great one-liners in the show. I felt just happy and lucky to be in his presence and directing him on something like this.”

Earlier this week, fans expressed their concern when Matthew appeared to slur his words and nodded off while filming the reunion special.

He sat down with the beloved cast of Friends for a “three question” interview with People on Wednesday, which caught the group reminiscing about their years as friends and co-stars.

However, fans noticed that the Canadian actor was not responding to questions with his normal sharp wit and appeared quiet and distracted.

Several took to the comments section to express their concern over Matthew, who has struggled with addiction since his time on the award-winning show.

“Seeing Matthew sad is heartbreaking,” one wrote, adding: “I hope he gets better soon, I don’t know how I’m going to enjoy the reunion when Matthew is this sad.”

“This felt so good seeing but also broke my heart seeing Matthew Perry like this,” another admitted.

Despite speculation, The Celeb Report has exclusively revealed that Matthew’s slurred speech was due to emergency dental work and not a drugs relapse.

A source said: “Matthew turned up to the reunion and members of his team said that he had an emergency tooth procedure that day.

“That was said to impact his wellbeing and also how he was feeling. He had been in pain from what we understand, which caused the slurred speech.

“Obviously no one wants to film after a procedure, but it happened.

“The feeling was one of huge sympathy for Matthew especially in recent days given how people have reacted online.

“Matthew has told those around him that he is sober, and there is no need to worry.”

Matthew– who starred on Friends as Chandler Bing from 1994-2004- has struggled with addiction since his early 20s.

The actor got engaged to 29-year-old literary manager Molly Hurwitz in November after two years of dating.

However, this week it was reported that Molly put their wedding on hold after he “flirted with other women” while they were on a break.

A 20-year-old recently exposed the actor for flirting with her after they matched on Raya when she was just 19 years old and he was 50.

After his dating app scandal, a source revealed to OK! magazine that Molly wants to “take a breather.”