James Van Der Beek left fans heartbreaking final message before death aged 48

James Van Der Beek left a heartbreaking message to fans just weeks before his death at the age of 48.

Yesterday (11 February) it was revealed that the Dawson's Creek star had passed away, over a year after he revealed his colorectal cancer diagnosis.

The news was confirmed by his family, who shared the following statement on social media: "Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning.

"He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace. There is much to share regarding his wishes, love for humanity and the sacredness of time.

"Those days will come. For now we ask for peaceful privacy as we grieve our loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend."

In the weeks leading up to his death, Van Der Beek had shared a poignant message to his fans about the importance of resting before spring.

"Anyone else out there finding that your New Year’s resolution was impossible to keep? I’m going to say something: I don’t think it’s your fault," he said in a video posted on 15 January.

Going on to question why new year's resolutions are made during the coldest months, he continued: "Why are we celebrating a new year in the dead of winter? Why are we celebrating new beginnings at a time when nature rests?"

The actor then went on to say he was going to dedicate the rest of the winter months 'to recover [and] to rest' before making his resolutions in the spring.

"The time to celebrate a new beginning, and a new you, and a new resolution, is in the spring, at the vernal equinox, when the flowers bloom and it gets warmer and the birds return," he added.

"That’s how nature does it. Why are we fighting nature?"

"In the winter, the days are shorter and the nights are longer. But instead of being reminded how perfect this season is for cocooning, eating stew, snuggling and sleeping," he wrote in the caption.

"Why are we being told this is the time to buy a gym membership?"

Tributes have since begun to pour in for Van Der Beek, who is best known for his role as Dawson Leery in Dawson's Creek.

"My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today…every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him," wrote his co-star Busy Philipps on Instagram.

"James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed."

"I’m so grateful for being able to call James a brother. I’ll miss him deeply," wrote Kerr Smith, while Chad Michael Murray added: "James was a giant. His words, art and humanity inspired all of us — he inspired us to be better in all ways."

"I’m so sad for your beautiful family," penned Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar. "While James’ legacy will always live on, this is a huge loss to not just your family but the world. F**k Cancer."

"A vibrant young man. A father and husband and friend. A generational icon. RIP JVDB. Sleep now, Dawson," added Julie Plec, who worked as a writer on Dawson's Creek.

Van Der Beek is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children, daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.