Dustin Diamond dies aged 44 after terminal cancer diagnosis

The actor was diagnosed with Stage 4 small cell carcinoma in early January.
Getty

Saved By The Bell star Dustin Diamond has died, aged 44, just weeks after being diagnosed with cancer, according to his representative.

Diamond, who played Samuel “Screech” Powers on the popular comedy, was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer after being rushed to hospital.

A representative for Dustin told TMZ he died on Monday morning after his condition greatly declined.

He was taken off of breathing machines in an attempt to get him to hospice care. His girlfriend was by his bedside when he passed away, the celebrity news site said.

The actor was diagnosed with Stage 4 small cell carcinoma in early January.

Diamond is best known for playing Screech, the nerdy sidekick of Zack Morris in Saved By The Bell.

He reprised the role in follow-up series Saved by the Bell: The New Class and Saved by the Bell: The College Years.

However, Diamond did not appear in the recent revival series which starred several of the show’s original stars.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar, the actor who played Screech’s best friend Zack Morris, tweeted: "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dustin Diamond, a true comedic genius. 

“My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Looking back at our time working together, I will miss those raw, brilliant sparks that only he was able to produce. A pie in your face, my comrade.”

Mario Lopez, who played perm-haired hardman AC Slater on the series, posted a recent image of the pair in tribute. 

Lark Voorhies, who played Screech’s crush Lisa Turtle in the show had days before posted a heartfelt Instagram post praying for his recovery.

Lark Voorhies posted an image of her and Diamond praying for his recovery
Instagram

She said: “I’d like to take the time to send special love and special best wishes to Dustin Diamond, who is one of my dearest friends. Dustin, all the many in your close circle who know you to be the great person that you are, are truly pulling for you and praying for the best outcome.”

He was a contestant on the 12th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2013..

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