Saved by the Bell star Dustin Diamond is battling stage 4 cancer

Florida - Dustin Diamond, best known for starring as Sam "Screech" Powers in Saved by the Bell during the late '80s and early '90s, announced he has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

Dustin Diamond as Sam "Screech" Powers on Saved by the Bell in 1992.
Dustin Diamond as Sam "Screech" Powers on Saved by the Bell in 1992.  © imago images / ZUMA Wire

Diamond (44) was reportedly hospitalized over the weekend after experiencing pain throughout his body.

Diamond is currently undergoing chemotherapy at an unrevealed Florida hospital, as first reported by Entertainment Weekly.

A representative for the actor said the cancer diagnosis is serious, as it is stage 4.

Zendaya and Tom Holland attend BNP Paribas final in rare public date
Zendaya Zendaya and Tom Holland attend BNP Paribas final in rare public date

"Dustin will disclose more information once it is available and a plan moving forward is made," Diamond's team wrote on his official Facebook account.

A rep said that the star was doing fine as of yesterday, January 14, but he was in pain when he was admitted to the hospital. Apparently, his condition began with "a huge lump on his throat."

"He was fading in and out, feeling sleepy and tired. On top of all this he also has shingles, so he's been in a lot of pain," they said.

Diamond appeared on all 86 episodes of Saved by the Bell from 1989 through 1992, playing the nerdy sidekick to friends Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez) and Lisa Turtle (Lark Voorhies).

While Diamond did not make a comeback in Peacock's recent revival series with several original cast members, the actor reportedly had been in talks to revise his role for a second season.

But for now, Diamond will be focusing on his health.

Cover photo: imago images / ZUMA Wire

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