Fans who had seen the programme before were quick to notice the absence of several scenes, including those relating to Ross’s ex-wife, Carol, who is gay
![Chinese fans claim censorship as gay storylines removed from Friends](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c8d49368df4406369ad410911cf1eb160d954885/0_345_2043_1225/master/2043.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=798de66b8d476d9f65401ec144d43a26)
Friends has been stripped of its lesbian storyline for the Chinese re-release of the sitcom, prompting censorship concerns.
On Friday a number of entertainment platforms including Tencent – which made headlines earlier this month for carrying a version of Fight Club with a totally different ending – began airing the first season of
Friends, which was originally broadcast in 1994.