A survey has revealed that the bromance between Joey and Chandler is considered 'total best friend goals' by 2,000 Brits.

This week Friends is celebrating its 25th anniversary and it is fitting that Joey and Chandler claimed the top spot, while Monica and Rachel are ranked number two in the 'Top 50  in Friendship in Film and TV'.

The survey was commissioned by a selection of UK MGallery Hotels to understand the UK's opinion on what makes a best friend with key highlights including:

• 20 per cent value a friend who they can just do nothing with together
• One in eight said their fondest memory is travelling with their best friend
• 50 per cent believe a best friend can be identified by their willingness to be there for you when times get hard
• the title of 'Best Friend' is not held by just one person with the average Brit bestowing the title on three people they know

Please find below the full survey results and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like an image.

Joey and Chandler's Bromance in Friends has been Named the Best Friendship of All Time

A study of 2,000 Brits, commissioned by selected hotels from the MGallery Hotel Collection, has revealed that the on-screen pals of Joey and Chandler are considered 'total best friend goals' by the UK public.

Joey and Chandler's friendship played out over 10 years and 10 seasons of the acclaimed sitcom Friends, has been deemed the most desirable friendship bond TV and film has produced. Fittingly, the friendship between fellow Friends alumni Monica and Rachel was named the second-best friendship in entertainment. These results were followed by Harry Potter and Ron Weasley from the Harry Potter series, Woody and Buzz from Toy Story and Carrie Bradshaw's girl gang in Sex and the City, which closed out the top five spaces in the Top 50 Friendships in Film and TV ranking.

Alan Bickerton, Area General Manager of MGallery Hotels UK, who commissioned the study to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Friends, said: “A best friend is a special thing which many of us treasure in our lives, but few friendships are as perfect as those portrayed in Friends.

“It's unsurprising that, even when pitted against wizards, living toys, and timeless friendships like that between Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh, the friendships which please us most are those that we can relate to and laugh along with – of which many of us have spent hundreds of hours doing so when Friends was on the air.”

When it comes to the activities which Brits believe form strong friendships, a third believe one on one time is vital for building those bonds. A fifth think a good time down the pub is a key friendship activity, while 20 per cent value a friend who they can just do nothing with together. Travelling together was also seen as an activity which brings friends closer together and one in eight said their fondest memory is travelling with their best friend. Nearly two thirds of Brits have taken a holiday with their friends at some point in their lives. Forty-five per cent of those surveyed would like to take a hotel break with their friends, and over a quarter want to arrange a beach getaway with their closest confidants.

When asked to think about their experiences with their own best friend, 17 per cent believe their relationship was strengthened by supporting each other through a tough time in their lives.

In fact, 50 per cent believe a best friend can be identified by their willingness to be there for you when times get hard, and 31 per cent think a best friend is someone who isn't quick to judge you for your actions.

The survey also showed that nearly one in 10 Brits have shared a home with their best friend at one time or another. As well as fifty per cent considering their partner their best friend, and 11 per cent finding their best friend at work. Over a quarter still have a best friend who they met at school, while 12 per cent consider their pet to be a furry bestie.

Brits also revealed the title of 'Best Friend' is not held by just one person with the average Brit bestowing the title on three people they know. Thirty-four per cent see their best friend every day, while one in 10 make sure to make time for them at least once a week to catch up.

Alan Bickerton, Area General Manager of MGallery Hotels UK, added: “Friendships are such an important part of our lives but as the research shows they are something that need to be cherished and will flourish with new experiences and time spent together.

“We invite friends to make a new memory milestone by experiencing a Friend-Trip* getaway, available from this September 2019 onwards, with a two-night stay at one of three distinguished MGallery hotels UK – Castle Hotel, Francis Hotel and Queens Hotel.”

One lucky person can also win a Friend-Trip at one of these classic British hotels via https://winafriendtripwithmgallery.com/ 

-ENDS-

For media enquiries, please contact Lauren Williams, Emily Olsen and Georgia Gogarty on mgallery@finnpartners.com or +44 (0) 207 326 9880

TOP 50 FRIENDSHIPS IN FILM AND TV

1. Joey and Chandler – Friends
2. Monica and Rachel – Friends
3. Harry and Ron - Harry Potter
4. Woody and Buzz - Toy Story
5. Carrie and the girls - Sex and the City
6. Thelma and Louise - Thelma and Louise
7. Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble - The Flintstones
8. Shrek and Donkey – Shrek
9. Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh - Winnie the Pooh
10. Starsky and Hutch - Starsky and Hutch
11. Frodo and Sam - Lord of the Rings
12. Batman and Robin – Batman
13. Bill and Ted – Bill and Teds' Excellent Adventure
14. Elliot and E.T – E.T. The extra terrestrial
15. Ted and Dougal - Father Ted
16. Mulder and Scully - The X-Files
17. Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper - Big Bang Theory
18. SpongeBob and Patrick - SpongeBob SquarePants
19. Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse – The Fast Show
20. Bill and Ben - Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men
21. Scully and Mike Wazowski - Monsters Inc
22. Will and Simon - the Inbetweeners
23. J.D and Turk – Scrubs
24. Bert and Ernie - The Muppets
25. Will Smith and Jazz - The fresh Prince of Bel Air
26. Riggs and Murtaugh - Lethal Weapon
27. Seth and Ryan - The OC
28. Jay and Neil - the Inbetweeners
29. Rocket and Groot - Guardians of the Galaxy
30. Bart and Millhouse - The Simpsons
31. Barney and Ted - How I Met Your Mother
32. Jake Peralta and Charles Boyle - Brooklyn 99
33. Cory and Shawn - Boy Meets World
34. Steve Rogers and Bucky - Captain America
35. Steve and Dustin - Stranger things
36. Marcus and Mike - Bad Boys
37. Topsy and Tim – the Topsy and Tim book series
38. Ferris Bueller and Cameron - Ferris Bueller's Day Off
39. The Fab Five - Queer Eye
40. Lizzie McGuire and Gordo – Lizzie McGuire
41. Archie and Jughead – Riverdale
42. Blair and Serena - Gossip Girl
43. Damian and Janis - Mean Girls
44. Troy and Abed – Community
45. Mike and Harvey – Suits
46. Mark and Jeremy - Peep Show
47. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
48. Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza – Seinfeld
49. Finn and Jake – Adventuretime
50. Eleanor Shellstrop and Michael - The Good Place

 Notes to Editors

Francis Hotel, Bath

The Francis Hotel, set in the heart of Bath, was the first property to launch as an MGallery Collection hotel in the UK in 2015. The hotel was first opened by Emily Francis, a leading entrepreneurial lady of her time. Originally a boarding house, the property became a hotel through the integration of seven Georgian townhouses and today stands as a luxury 98-room boutique property with a sympathetic contemporary interior design.

 Situated right in the heart of the Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Francis Hotel is a perfect spot for those seeking to explore this historical city. The popularity of Bath dates back to Roman times when it was built to be a thriving spa town, with its notoriety among the fashionable British society continuing to strengthen through the eighteenth century.www.francishotel.com

Queens Hotel, Cheltenham

Queens Hotel was first opened on 21st July 1838. One of the first purpose-built hotels in Europe, it is situated at the south end of the Promenade. Its impressive Palladian facade exudes elegane and grandeur from the moment guests walk in. Opened in the same year as Queen Victoria's coronation, the hotel was named in her honour and today the hotel has retained and showcases original Victorian features that pay homage to her majesty.

 With its prime position on one of Cheltenham's most beautiful Georgian streets, guests are perfectly placed to explore the cultural delights the city has to offer. With a variety of musical, gastronomic, science and literary festivals and the flagship Gold Cup Festival, either adjacent to the hotel or a short walk away, Queens Hotel offers a stunning sanctuary in the heart of this cultural British gem. www.queenshotelcheltenham.com

 Castle Hotel, Windsor

Castle Hotel is established as one of the Windsor's finest boutique properties steeped in history dating back to 1528. The 108-room hotel exudes calm glamour, a striking, spacious conference and events space, as well as a highly regarded Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill.  

 Boasting a location at the heart of Windsor, Castle Hotel is situated opposite Windsor Castle and the Windsor and Royal Borough Museum. It is a short walk from the famous Long Walk, as featured in the recent Royal Weddings, the River Thames, as well as the town centre for an indulgent shopping afternoon. For those who wish to experience a flutter on the horses, Ascot & Windsor Racecourses are a 15-minute drive away.  www.castlehotelwindsor.com

 Friend-Trip Package

*For two-nights friends can forget the stresses and demands of everyday life with an idle break to either Bath, Cheltenham or Windsor. The Friend-Trip experience will treat two guests to a host of in-room indulgences including, a best friend breakfast in bed, as well as a movie marathon of iconic friendship films and TV series' such as Thelma and Louise and Friends accompanied with a bottle of fizz and retro snacks. Once friends have caught up on all the latest gossip, they can enjoy the hotel's signature 'Inspired by Friendship' cocktail and restaurant dish. No weekend away would be complete without a perusal of the local independent shops and cafes, with each MGallery property curating a guide to the best places in their town. All friends have to do is decide which hotel and location best matches their friendship.