Friends star makes enemies

When David Schwimmer arrived in London to star in the West End, few doubted he would have any difficulty making friends.

But now his co-star in Some Girl(s), which opened at the Gielgud Theatre last month, says she finds working with him difficult and admits they are virtually on non-speaking terms.

Catherine Tate, who plays one of Schwimmer's four exgirlfriends in the Neil LaBute play, said: "Any conversation we have offstage is of a very cursory nature and all eye contact is well and truly kept to a minimum. It's as much as I can do to smile at the man."

In an article in the New Statesman, she describes how she was intimidated by working with the star who played Ross in Friends, one of the biggest hits in TV history. "When I first found out I was going to be working with David Schwimmer I could barely contain myself," she said. "I was the most excited I've ever been about a job."

But now she says: "Two months down the line, I may have reached the point of no return. I've got a funny feeling I'm just being rude."

Tate also admitted to feeling inadequate next to the glamorous Saffron Burrows, who plays another girlfriend. She said: "It's one thing being photographed wearing clothes that someone else has chosen for you; it's another thing altogether to stand next to the model-like figure of Saffron while you're doing it.

"The pictures came back and Saffron, naturally, looked like a goddess. I, on the other hand, look like the poor unfortunate who's missed the last bus home."

On last month's opening night of Some Girl(s) Schwimmer, 38, described his female co-stars as "a boost to the ego", adding: "To be on stage with these four beautiful women, it's great."

Offstage he has been spotted out with with fellow US stars Brooke Shields, who is playing Roxie Hart in Chicago, and Val Kilmer, who stars in The Postman Always Rings Twice. He says he is getting the most out of his time in the capital, visiting the National Gallery, Tate Modern - and an Arsenal game. He added: "A great friend of mine is a big Arsenal fan and he's already taken me to see a match."