Why Jennifer Aniston broke down during Friends non-reunion

Jennifer Aniston wipes away tears during NBC's TV special dedicated to director James Burrows. Photo/NBC

Jennifer Aniston cried during a TV tribute to famed director James Burrows, which reunited the cast of Friends for the first time.

The 47-year-old actress - who played Rachel Green in Friends - broke down in tears and thanked the director for giving her castmates and herself "the opportunity of a lifetime".

While wiping away her tears, she said: "We would do anything for Jim Burrows because he really gave us the opportunity of a lifetime. We experienced friendship, family, heartbreak, babies, everything, together. And we also had a wonderful experience with the world loving us as well."

The blonde beauty was joined on stage at NBC's Must See TV: A Tribute to James Burrows by her Friends castmates, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox, and the group shared a number of secrets with interviewer Andy Cohen, including their favourite-ever episodes and scenes.

That cast were asked whether a rumoured "no sex" clause in their contracts was every broken.

Kudrow denied they existed, but Schwimmer retorted: "Well, that was broken."

Cox revealed she, Lisa and Jennifer enjoyed the same lunch every day.

She said: "The three girls, we had lunch together every day for 10 years."

James Burrows with the cast of Friends: David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Lisa Kudrow. Photo/AP

The meal was dubbed a "Jennifer Salad" because, Cox noted of her friend: "She has a way with it."

Though fans were thrilled to see most of the cast reunited, Matthew Perry, wasn't present as he is busy performing on London's West End in his show The End Of Longing.

But Perry - who played Chandler Bing - introduced his Friends castmates' segment in a pre-recorded message.

After the clip was shown LeBlanc - who played Joey - said: "We miss you Matty!"

As well as stars of Friends, the casts of the likes of Will & Grace, Mike & Molly, Frasier, Taxi, The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men were all involved in the tribute event.

- Bang! Showbiz