matt © Photo: Rex

Matt LeBlanc denies having a nervous breakdown

February 8, 2016

Matt LeBlanc has denied rumours that he suffered a nervous breakdown following the end of the hit TV show Friends. After being at the centre of the rumours, the actor took to social media to put an end to false claims of his well being.

"Hey,to clarify,I never had a nervous breakdown nor did I do an interview with the Mirror in the UK. So don't believe the hype. But thanks," he tweeted on Monday.

© Photo: Rex

Matt was rumoured to have suffered a nervous breakdown after Friends ended

Following the announcment of Matt's new role on Top Gear, the Mirror reported that the star had said he wasn't always looking to return to the spotlight due to personal issues.

After Friends ended in 2004, the American star was dealing with the end of his marriage with Melissa McKnight, this also coincided with a debilitating diagnosis given to his daughter when she was born. The publication claimed, he said: "For years and years, I barely left the house. I was burnt out. I wanted to not have a schedule, not be somewhere. I was in a position to do that. My agent was bummed.

Matt denied rumours via Twitter

"Most actors call their agents and say 'what’s going on? I’d call mine and say, 'please lose my number for a few years.' It was a very dark time. I almost had a nervous breakdown."

He allegedly continued: "My daughter was diagnosed with a problem with her head. It was a very dark period. But I got through it. Don't they say what doesn't kill us makes us stronger?"

The actor filed for divorce from his wife in 2006 after three years of marriage due to struggles with his career and their daughter's illness, but this did not lead him to suffer a nervous breakdown and his since signed up to co-host Top Gear with Chris Evans.

© Photo: Rex

Matt and Melissa filed for divorce in 2006

On Thursday, Matt appeared on Chris Evans' Radio Two show where he told his new co-host how elated he was to be on the new series of the TV show.

"I can't believe the response. I mean I knew Top Gear was a big show, but, wow, it was on the front page of The New York Times, did you know that?." The DJ asked his future co-star which double act from the past they would most resemble.

Matt rejected the suggestions of Tom and Jerry, Laurel and Hardy, and Friends couple Rachel and Ross, replying: "Joey and Chandler."

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