Friends bosses are making a rare demand for the next actress to join the hit sitcom she shouldn't be white.

The show has long been criticised in the States for its lack of ethnic diversity.

Even though it is set in the one of the world's most racially mixed cities, non-white faces are rarely seen.

But in casting the new character, a potential love interest for Ross and Joey, producers have said they are looking for an actress from an ethnic minority.

The character is a palaeontologist who works with David Schwimmer's Ross and will appear in a number of episodes.

In the show's nine-year history, the only significant non-white character has been Julie, played by Chinese actress Lauren Tom. (the voice of Amy Wong in Futurama).

She, too, was a palaeontologist love interest for Ross.