Actor and television personality Ollie Locke is parting with his incredibly rare original signed Friends TV script to honour the show’s legendary actor Matthew Perry.
Made in Chelsea star Ollie has decided to auction off the iconic script, which was written for one of Friends’ most famous episodes, ‘The One Where Rachel Has A Baby’. He plans to donate a percentage of funds raised to the Matthew Perry Foundation.
Matthew, who played Chandler in the 1994-2004 sitcom, passed away aged 54 in October 2023. His death was attributed to the acute effects of Ketamine, a treatment for pain and depression. The charity, set up to honour his memory, supports people fighting addiction, something Matthew struggled with all his life.
Ollie, 36, who originates from Southampton and lives in Chelsea, London, said: “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.
“I acquired what is a truly iconic script at auction not long before before Matthew tragically died. It was so heartbreaking 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!
“I’m a big collector of TV and film memorabilia. For example, I have items relating to actress Audrey Hepburn, Elvis, Grease and The Big Bang Theory. The Friends script was just something I always wanted to own. I was hugely excited when I got it.
“It’s a 76-pages 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.
“It suddenly crossed my mind that I could do something special to help the Matthew Perry Foundation when I saw that another Friends TV script had gone crazy at auction. I think the sky’s the limit for my rare iconic script. If it sells I will donate part of the proceeds to the Matthew Perry Foundation. It’s hard to part with it but it just seems the right thing to do.
“Friends was one of the biggest TV shows of all time and people still get quietly hugely excited if any of the cast are in town. I’ve attended events where Jennifer Aniston has been a guest and tried to play it cool, and I’ve been to a dinner and a night out with Matt LeBlanc several times. I was never lucky enough to meet Matthew but my sister did.
“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 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.”
Bidding has opened for The Friends script, estimate £5,000-£8,000. It will go under the hammer at auction house Hanson Ross in Royston, Hertfordshire, England, on April 12. The same sale offers other important Friends memorabilia including a rare item linked to Ollie’s script.
Amanda Butler, director of operations at Hanson Ross, said: “As well as Ollie’s amazing Friends script, by sheer chance the same auction includes the sonogram of Rachel’s baby used in the same episode, The One Where Rachel Has A Baby. That’s been consigned by a seller in Scotland and it’s guided at £600-£800. If a massive Friends fan bought both they would own the ultimate collector’s items.
“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 (£22,000 hammer) from a £600-£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.”
American sitcom Friends, created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, aired on NBC from 1994 to 2004 and lasted for 10 seasons. Starring Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer, it is one of the most popular TV shows of all time.
The series finale, which aired on May 6, 2004, was watched by 52.5 million American viewers. The series was nominated for 62 Primetime Emmy Awards and won the Outstanding Comedy Series award in 2002 for its eighth season. The show is ranked number 21 on TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
Auction: The Friends script, lot 95A; Rachel scan, lot 119, and other Friends memorabilia will be offered in the April 12 Hanson Ross Pop Culture Auction, Royston, Hertfordshire, UK.
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
Enquiries: [email protected] | [email protected]
