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Saved By The Bell Star Dustin Diamond Has Died Aged 44

Saved By The Bell Star Dustin Diamond Has Died Aged 44

He was diagnosed with stage four cancer just weeks ago

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Saved By The Bell actor Dustin Diamond has passed away, just weeks after being diagnosed with stage four cancer.

A representative for the 44-year-old told LADbible: "We are saddened to confirm of Dustin Diamond's passing on Monday, February 1st, 2021 due to carcinoma.

"He was diagnosed with this brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer only three weeks ago.

"Dustin did not suffer. He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful.

"Dustin Diamond's name was synonymous with Screech, his character on the hit show Saved by the Bell. He portrayed Samuel "Screech" Powers for thirteen years as the cast of the show grew up together in all its series: Good Morning, Miss Bell, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, and Saved By the Bell: The College Years.

"Dustin Diamond was a character in and of himself: an unpredictable spitfire who always left us shocked, but never left us bored. We are thankful he trusted us enough to share his genuine, authentic self with our team.

NBC

"We wish you knew him in the way that we did. We please ask that you give room for privacy to our team and Mr. Diamond's family during this tragic time, as we grieve and remember the memories spent together. This loss is as much stinging as it is sudden."

Diamond had been receiving chemotherapy to treat the cancer, but a rep for the actor recently told Entertainment Weekly the diagnosis was 'serious'.

They said: "He's undergoing chemo so he will be there at least another week and then we will figure out when he gets to come home.

"By next week, we'll have a much better understanding of the severity of his condition and what treatments he will need so that he's comfortable."

Diamond had his first official acting credits for a small role in TV movie Yogi's Great Escape and an episode of It's A Living in 1987, but his big break came with the Saved By The Bell franchise - originally starring in Good Morning, Miss Bliss, which would later become the basis for the sitcom.

As the character of Screech grew older, Diamond continued to reprise his widely-loved role in various spin-offs for the franchise, including Saved By The Bell: The College Years and Saved By The Bell: The New Class.

He even wrote a memoir about his experience of playing Screech called Behind The Bell.

Diamond also starred as himself in a number of shows such as Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star and Four Corners Road, along with Celebrity Big Brother in 2013.

Diamond at the launch of Celebrity Big Brother.
PA

Fans have paid tribute to the late actor on social media, with one tweeting: "I'm actually really sad to hear about the passing of Dustin Diamond! Screech was literally part of most of our childhoods. Life is too damn short man! God bless him."

Someone else wrote: "Saved By The Bell captivated our attention when we were a lot younger. It was one of the shows that everyone watched and enjoyed back then. Damn shame about Dustin Diamond's passing. Cancer is a horrible horrible thing. Our thoughts our with his family and friends."

A third said: "I remember as a kid watching saved by the bell and loving Screech. Rest in Peace #DustinDiamond thank you for the memories."

Featured Image Credit: PA