Why Brad Pitt’s cameo in Friends was hugely controversial

Despite Friends airing in 1995 and wrapping up back in 2004, viewers are still obsessed with analysing each and every moment that made the beloved sitcom so great - including the legendary guest appearances.

The Manhattan-based show followed the lives of six friends: Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston), Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow) Joey Tribbiani (Matt Le Blanc), Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) and Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) and followed their friendship, love lives and defining moments across 10 hugely popular seasons.

Yet, the cast were often supported by a host of other characters who brought their chaotic storylines to life.

Some of the biggest names in Hollywood have appeared in Friends including, Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, Gabrielle Union and Robin Williams - to name a few.

In recent days, fans have been obsessing over the fact Billie Eilish's mum, Maggie Baird, appeared in a 1999 episode of Friends.

But it's the episode including a very famous face that still has fans talking the most.

Brad Pitt appeared on a 2001 episode of Friends back when him and Jennifer were Hollywood's favourite couple. The season 8 episode titled, 'The One with the Rumour', sees Brad play Ross's old school friend and co-founding member of the 'I hate Rachel Green' club, Will Colbert.

It was the annual Friends Thanksgiving special and it turns out that his presence has proved very controversial.

(NBC)

The storyline revolves around Will and Rachel and the fact that Will is unable to let go of some trauma from his younger years, where a young Rachel bullied him because of his weight.

Not recognising a now well-toned Will, Rachel tries to win his affection before it's revealed that he hates her so much that he and Ross started a rumour that Rachel was a 'hermaphrodite', or intersex. And it's here where the controversy around the episode lies.

Members of the intersex community reached out to the network, NBC, to complain about the way they represented in the episode. They called out the 'ignorance' of the portrayal and it's said they were hugely offended.

There was also heaps of off-screen controversy, too.

(NBC)

This boiled down to the fact that at the time, Pitt was in an unhappy marriage with Aniston, resulting in the divorce of the decade in 2005. Their split was highly-publicised following his romance and later marriage to Angelina Jolie, after the pair worked together on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith.

In recent news, it has come to light that his now-ex, Jolie, has accused him of physical abuse towards her.

Tyla previously contacted Brad Pitt's representatives for comment.