HORROR IN HOT TUB

MATTHEW PERRY: STAR FOUND DEAD AT HOME AGED 54

- MARK JEFFERIES

TRAGIC Matthew Perry appeared unusually fatigued just hours before his mystery death in a hot tub at home, a shocked pal revealed.

The 54-year-old Friends star, who had battled drink and drug addiction for years, had been playing a tennis-style game called pickleball, a sport he competed in every day. It is feared he drowned.

As the world of showbiz paid tribute to the actor, US TV and radio host Billy Bush said: "I spoke to the woman he played with this morning and every morning.

"She said he had been fatigued today and over the past week. A little more than usual. He played for an hour, then went home. She is in shock, she adored Matt."

The actor, known around the world for playing Chandler Bing in hit 90s TV sitcom Friends, was found unresponsive in a hot tub by his assistant at his Los Angeles home on Saturday at 4pm.

A audio clip of the 911 call leaked online was mostly bleeped out but the word "drowning" could be heard. Sources told US website TMZ no recreational drugs were found at his home, and that foul play was not suspected.

However antidepressants, anti-anxiety pills, and a drug to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were found.

A white tent was put up in the garden next to the hot tub.

A coroner will do a toxicology exam to determine if any drugs were in his system, but it could take months to get the results.

Matthew's mum Suzanne Morrison, his dad, John Bennett Perry and his stepfather, Keith Morrison all arrived at his house after his death, looking emotional. His body was removed by medical staff in the early hours of yesterday.