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'I'll be there for you!' says the Echo

The South Wales Echo was definitely there for fans of the smash TV comedy Friends.

The Cardiff-based paper set up a special hotline for readers who were desperate to find out how the last-ever episode of the show ended when it was broadcast to millions of viewers in America.

The Trinity Mirror title had received complaints from readers in the past for giving away plot lines to EastEnders and Coronation Street.

Naturally, it did not want to spoil the enjoyment for any readers trying to hold out until the last show is broadcast on Channel 4 at the end of this month.

So editor Alastair Milburn came up with the idea of setting up a voicemail message outlining the main plot lines of the final episode, titled The Last One.

It was recorded by one of the Echo’s best-known reporters and columnists, Steve Tucker.

Alastair said: “It was a bit of fun, using one of our more extrovert columnists – and thankfully, we didn’t upset anyone by giving away the plotline in the paper!”

  • Friends has followed the antics of New Yorkers Rachel, Ross, Joey, Chandler, Monica and Phoebe for the past 10 years and has won a string of top awards.
    The ending that viewers are so keen to avoid spoiling will hinge on whether or not Rachel leaves her friends to live in Paris.

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