Phoebe's final Friends hitch

It is the moment Friends fans feared might never happen - ditzy Phoebe has got her man. In one of the last episodes in the final series, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe finally ties the knot with her boyfriend Mike, played by Paul Rudd.

The wedding scene was the finale to a special 40-minute episode and, as viewers have come to know, the path of true love is far from smooth.

First, uptight Monica, played by Courteney Cox, drives the rest of the friends to distraction as she adopts the role of wedding-planner.

She is so dictatorial that Phoebe fires her. Disaster is heaped upon disaster as wedding deliveries disappear and a blizzard descends.

The rest of the group pitch in too, as Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Ross (David Schwimmer) battle it out to be named ushers.

Eventually, Phoebe is given away by Joey (Matt LeBlanc) who acts as a last-minute substitute for her jailed father. The sixth friend, Rachel, (Jennifer Aniston) looks on tearfully in the congregation. Filming has now finished on the final series of the sitcom, which has run for 10 years and made its stars worldwide household names.

According to Peter Roth, president of Warner Bros Television, the feeling among the crew was "deeply emotional, very sad" when the last episode finished.

He added: "But beyond the sadness

I think there is an enormous sense of accomplishment." Lisa Kudrow said: "Looking back on all the fun is not going to help me leave. I mean that's exactly what I can't be thinking about, because that's the saddest part for me."

The plot of the last episode is a fiercely protected secret.

All cast and crew were sworn not to give the story away and some scenes were filmed behind closed doors, away from the usual studio audience.

Mr Roth said it will be one of the best episodes in the programme's history. He said: "I was enormously satisfied with the script and I certainly hope fans will be satisfied as well."

During the past decade the show has been heaped with awards for the writers and actors. The last series is currently on Channel 4 but even when it comes to an end, fans will have something to look forward to.

A spin-off starring Matt LeBlanc, entitled Joey, is set to have its debut later in the year.

Producers hope the show will emulate the success of Frasier, which was a spin-off from the classic comedy Cheers.