LeBlanc 'lived among junkies and hookers'

Matt LeBlanc has revealed that he was penniless and living among "junkies and hookers" before landing his role in Friends.

In an interview with The Sun, LeBlanc spoke about how he had struggled to survive as an actor for years before getting the part of Joey in 1994.

He explained: "Friends, when it came my way, was my fourth TV series and the other three had failed.

"I had exactly $11 (£7) in my pocket the day I was hired. I had to go back and read for the part of Joey a total of six times. It was far from certain I would get the role."

The actor said that he owes his success to his mother Patricia, who raised him alone in Newton, Massachusetts.

"My mum brought me up to follow my heart. We never really had any money but she supported me in everything I did," said LeBlanc.

"The one time she became scared was when I moved to New York, at just 17, in an effort to become an actor.

"I was living in a cheap hotel which was dank and nasty. Junkies and hookers were all over the place when she came to visit for the weekend.

"I remember the look on her face and she said, 'Oh, please come home. Give this up. You won't make it.'

"She feared for my safety, not for my talent, and it was just that she became very worried."