Friends episode was actually banned from airing in UK for controversial reason

As television boxsets go these days, 90s sitcom Friends is hardly renowned for any particularly raunchy moments.

In fact, other than a handful of mentions of s-e-x - like Rachel and Monica fighting over the last condom, or Monica teaching Chandler about the female orgasm - the 10 seasons are actually pretty low-key for an 'adult' show.

That said, however, a handful of fans have recently been blindsided to discover that one particular episode of the fourth season was deemed so controversial in its explicitness by viewers, that it was subsequently banned from the UK.

I promise it's true! But if you need a refresher on what happened during that high-drama series, allow us to fill you in...

The episode saw Ross and Emily get engaged. (NBC)

What happens during the fourth season?

In the Friends episodes prior, Ross has struck up quite the romance with British love interest Emily following his heartbreaking split from Rachel.

The two transatlantic sweethearts are seeing each other casually, until in episode 17, Ross realises he doesn't wish to remain long distance lovers anymore, and suggests they get married, leaving viewers divided over his future with Rachel.

Meanwhile, Phoebe has just agreed to harbour her brother Frank Jr and his (much older) wife Alice's embryos as they attempt IVF, only to discover that she's pregnant.

What she doesn't realise until this particular episode, however, is that she's actually carrying triplets.

It's pretty safe to say that this is a vital season for the show for countless reasons, with many storyline developments taking place in one go.

The episode saw Phoebe discover she was having Frank Jr and Alice's triplets. (NBC)

Why was the episode banned?

The issue was, however, that behind all the exciting new plots that littered episode 17, was a 'lighthearted' story about Chandler and Joey stumbling across a television channel which gives them access to 24 hour free pornography.

Whilst the notion of adult movies isn't frowned upon in other episodes - including when Phoebe discovers her twin sister Ursula is performing porn under her name - the nature of this particular episode was seen as pretty harmful to viewers.

For those who need a reminder, whilst Joey and Chandler are over the moon with their accidental find, they leave the television playing the explicit content all day long, afraid to turn it off and lose their free surprise.

The girls - specifically Rachel and Monica - in turn beg for a break from the sexual scenes, but are consistently rejected.

The explicit episode was banned in the States. (NBC)

What happened in the UK?

'The One With The Free Porn' became a subject of a censorship ban across the United Kingdom due to its frequent innuendos and sexually explicit content.

This particular episode also originally aired in a later-night airtime compared to usual, and was subsequently barely ever syndicated in the UK moving forward.

The television screen content was also censored, and nowadays, you'll still be lucky to catch it on UK freeview television.