Ellen DeGeneres on her 2,000th show was surprised by Jennifer Aniston and Justin Timberlake

The former 'Friends' actress was the 57-year-old presenter's first visitor on her milestone show (12-11-15), and brought with her a 'Welcome' mat, the same gift she brought when she was the first-ever guest on the programme back in 2003.

When she introduced her first mystery guest, Ellen said: ''This is a surprise to me, all I know is I love our first guest, I'm told, so let's find out who it is together.'' And Jennifer then helped surprise Ellen (who is married to Portia de Rossi) by bringing out Justin, who was the second-ever guest on the show.

Jennifer teased: ''I think it's time to bring sexy back.'' And Ellen, who had been ordered not to leave her dressing room before the show, was thrilled by both her unexpected guests.

Toasting tequila with the presenter, Justin said: ''I thought for sure you knew or you'd find out.'' Ellen replied: ''I know. Even when Portia tries to surprise me, it always leaks out, somebody tells me something. ''You are two of my favourite people.'' Timberlake quipped "Yeah, but, like, if you had to pick one". Chimed Aniston, "It's such a no-brainer." Ever the diplomat, DeGeneres said it would be "the both of you together, as one unit."

The host was also visited by Kerry Washington, who plays Olivia Pope on 'Scandal', who performed a sparkling rendition of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" on a tuba to win money for her charities, the Purple Purse Initiative and Turn around Arts. Washington also brought DeGeneres some special Olivia Pope-style Scandal wine glasses and a bottle of red wine, saying, "You are the only person I know who loves red wine more than Olivia Pope.''

And Ellen was overwhelmed with emotion when the president and CCO of Warner Bros. Television Group, Peter Roth, revealed that for only the fourth time in the studio's history, a stage is being renamed in her honour. 

Presenting the host with a plaque, Peter said: ''I officially dedicate Stage One, which forever more will be now known as 'The Ellen Stage', who grinned as various plaques were unveiled to another rousing audience ovation.

The episode also featured an eight-minute montage of hilarious and sweet moments from the talk show's 12-year run (and counting).