Friends: Netflix confirms Friends will stay on US and UK version of streaming service until 2020

Netflix has confirmed that the world's most beloved sitcom is remaining on the streaming service.

Fans of Friends – who are currently able to watch all 10 seasons on Netflix – were worried that their supply would get cut off after a message on the streamer's website made it look like the entire show could soon be taken down.

Netflix's homepage stated on Monday morning that Friends would be available only until 1 January 2019, implying that all 236 episodes would disappear come the new year.

Both the UK and US versions of Netflix have now assuaged subscribers' fears, confirming that Friends will not be leaving.

The UK service mimicked the structure followed by Friends episode titles and wrote: “The One Where Friends is Going Nowhere, Don't Worry” while the service provider simultaneously stated that “Friends will still be there for you in the US for the duration of 2019.”

Friends arrived on Netflix UK in January 2018, three years after making its debut on Netflix US. The sitcom, which stars Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc, became one of the most-watched streaming show beating Netflix heavyweights The Crown and Stranger Things.

Upon its arrival on the streaming service, a whole new generation of TV watchers reanalysed the sitcom with modern sensibilities – and many people found various episodes problematic.

While executive producer and director Kevin S Bright acknowledged that certain elements would be tweaked if the sitcom were made today, he added that he thinks it's "aged really well".