FRIENDS actor Matthew Perry was reportedly rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after suffering a ruptured bowel.

The 48-year-old is recovering after undergoing the op to repair a potentially life-threatening tear in his gut in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

3 Matthew Perry was taken to hospital for emergency surgery for a ruptured bowel, his reps confirmed Credit: Getty - Contributor

A representative for the star told TMZ Perry "appreciates the concern over his health" but asked for "privacy as he heals."

Gastrointestinal perforation, more commonly known as ruptured bowel, occurs when a hole forms all the way through the stomach, large bowel, or small intestine.

Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and tenderness and complications can lead to sepsis which is a life-threatening bacterial infection.

The actor has spoken publicly about his battles with drug addiction and attempts at long-term recovery.

3 The actor starred as Chandler Bing in hit US series Friends Credit: Getty - Contributor

Matthew Perry reveals his favourite line of all time from from Friends

Perry is known to have entered addiction programmes for Vicodin in 1997 and 2001.

His weight plummeted to around 10 stone and Perry says he has little memory of shooting three seasons of Friends.

In 2013, Perry spoke about his battles with drink and drugs and said he was winning his battle against addiction.

He told ABC News: "Mostly it was drinking, you know, and opiates. I think I was pretty good at hiding it, you know, but eventually people were aware.

3 Perry, pictured earlier this year, has spoken publicly about his battles with addiction Credit: Rex Features

"I honestly recoil. It’s scary to look at that. I was a sick guy."

Last year, a porn star claimed Perry pleaded with her to get him 40 or 50 prescription painkillers.

Maddy O'Reilly said she received a series of Instagram messages from Perry, an ex-lover, asking if she knew anyone who could "help me purchase some pills".

The 27-year-old claims when she asked the actor what he'd be willing to pay he replied: "It depends which one (type of painkiller) is available. But... a lot."

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She told DailyMailTV at the time: "I am concerned for Matthew's well-being, we're having the same drugs problem back home in North Carolina, I've seen it destroy many people's lives.

"I would really hate to see something bad happen to him."

Perry shot to fame in the 90s classic sitcom Friends, alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.

Ben Shephard reveals he made a cameo in Friends on Good Morning Britain

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