Lea Michele's character gazes at photo of the late Cory Monteith in debut episode of Glee's fifth season

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 15:33 EST, 27 September 2013 | UPDATED: 18:33 EST, 27 September 2013

Cory Monteith will be honoured with a special farewell episode of Glee which will air on October 10.

And there was a brief reference of the late actor, who died in July, on the show last night as it kicked off its fifth season.

The hour long episode began with Lea Michele's character, Rachel Berry, at a call-back audition for a Broadway production of Funny Girl.

Scroll down for video

Sad reminder: Lea Michele gazed at a photo of Cory Monteith while singing The Beatles' Yesterday in Glee's season five premiere which aired on Thursday

Sad reminder: Lea Michele gazed at a photo of Cory Monteith while singing The Beatles' Yesterday in Glee's season five premiere which aired on Thursday

After she overhears the director and star, played by Peter Facinelli and Ioan Gruffudd, suggest she might be too green, a dejected Rachel walks through Manhattan singing the Beatles' melancholy hit Yesterday.

At one point during the song, she pauses to gaze at a photo on her mobile phone.

It's a group shot of her old high school glee club pals, among them Cory in character as Finn Hudson.

Those were the days: Lea's character Rachel is reminiscing about her old high school glee club, which included Finn Hudson, played by Cory (far left)

Those were the days: Lea's character Rachel is reminiscing about her old high school glee club, which included Finn Hudson, played by Cory (far left)

Rachel then continues to belt out the song’s famous lyrics: ‘Oh, yesterday, love was such an easy game to play. Now I need a place to hide away. Oh, I believe in yesterday.’

Lea and Cory were dating off-screen while their characters on the show were also romantically involved.

Cory was just 31 when he died on July 13 in a Vancouver hotel room following a heroin and alcohol overdose.

The new season of Glee is beginning with a two-episode salute to the Beatles' songbook.

Hard at work: Lea shared a photo from the show's set with (L-R) Demi Lovato, Adam Lambert, Naya Rivera and Chris Colfer

Hard at work: Lea shared a photo from the show's set with (L-R) Demi Lovato, Adam Lambert, Naya Rivera and Chris Colfer

Making music: Lea Hard at work: Lea said her co-stars were 'amazing' as they filmed together in New York

Making music: Lea Hard at work: Lea said her co-stars were 'amazing' as they filmed together in New York

A tribute to Cory is planned for episode three and will be titled The Quarterback after his character's high school football role.

But Lea will not be appearing in the tribute episode for Cory until the very end where she is reported to be singing a powerful ballad in tribute to her lost love.

The 27-year-old tweeted ahead of the show’s airing on Thursday: ‘Cannot believe that tonight is our Season 5 premiere! So excited:) #Glee @ 9pm ET on @FOXTV!’

Farewell: Cory will be honoured with a special tribute episode of the show on October 10

Farewell: Cory will be honoured with a special tribute episode of the show on October 10

At the same time Lea was filming with co-stars Naya Rivera and Chris Colfer and guest stars Demi Lovato and Adam Lambert.

She tweeted that she was on set with her fellow musicians who she described as ‘amazing’ while sharing a photo of the group performing.

She posted a second shot to the social networking site shortly afterwards and referred to herself and her co-stars as the ‘NYC crew’.

Cory was among a handful of stars given an individual remembrance at Sunday's Emmy Awards, with his co-star Jane Lynch giving the touching tribute.

Tragic loss: Lea was dating Cory, who died on July 13 after a heroin and alcohol overdose, in real life. The couple are seen here together in October 2012

Tragic loss: Lea was dating Cory, who died on July 13 after a heroin and alcohol overdose, in real life. The couple are seen here together in October 2012

Comments (19)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Report comment

They could have found some other actor to play Finn. It wouldn’t be the first time actors change.

559
77
 Click to rate
Report comment

After 2 months, I still cry seeing him. I don’t know why it has hit me so hard. (An actor I didn’t even know) He was just adorable, so sweet, and loved Lea so much. She is absolutely beautiful, so strong and amazing. I truly hope she goes on to live an amazing life. Any man would be lucky to have her. RIP Cory. x

73
354
 Click to rate
Report comment

"I can¿t believe they wrote his death into the show! I can¿t believe they made her do this! I can¿t believe she was capable of doing this! It must have been absolutely excruciating!" -Alex, LDN, United Kingdom........Get a grip for crying-out-loud. It’s Hollywood, make believe, make money, make ratings.....fantasy!

136
129
 Click to rate
Report comment

So sad I feel so sorry for her x

21
229
 Click to rate
Report comment

I don’t know how she does it but wow, she’s one STRONG lady... Best of luck Lea! This is so heartbreaking!

23
347
 Click to rate
Report comment

"Glee", a very popular show for some reason..............and possibly the worst show in the history of television. A show with kids that can’t sing, or otherwise sing with annoying musical theater voices...........Destroying the greatest songs ever written! AM I WRONG???

294
86
 Click to rate
Report comment

Feel so so sorry for Lea, so heartbreaking

17
222
 Click to rate
Report comment

When is this episode on in the UK? Is it 10/10 or is that when it airs in the USA? I always get confused when articles give US airing dates and times instead of UK ones

8
77
 Click to rate
Report comment

Must be really hard for her. Poor girl

20
172
 Click to rate
Report comment

I know I’m will be crying like a baby at the tribute episode. RIP Cory xx

24
180
 Click to rate

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now