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Saved By The Bell’s Dustin Diamond Confirms Serious Cancer, Still Hospitalized

Dustin Diamond, who gained famed by playing Screech on the popular sitcom Saved by the Bell, has stage-four cancer. The actor’s teams confirmed the diagnosis after he was hospitalized earlier this week.

“At this time we can confirm that Dustin does have cancer,” the 44-year-old actor’s reps posted on Facebook. “Dustin will disclose more information once it is available and a plan moving forward is made.”

Official Statement from Team Dustin: “ At this time we can confirm that Dustin does have cancer . Dustin Will disclose…

Posted by Dustin Diamond on Thursday, January 14, 2021

Diamond will stay in a Florida hospital as he undergoes chemotherapy, it’s being reported.

The type of cancer was not disclosed, but TMZ reported went to the hospital after reporting pain “though out his body.” He is also apparently suffering from shingles.

Dan Block, a close friend of Diamond, recently told The Sun newspaper in the United Kingdom that the actor had a “huge lump” on his neck that he did not seek medical treatment for right away.

‘It started off as a tumor on his neck — a huge lump on his throat — and it was very visible,” Block said. “He was afraid of someone taking pictures of it and posting it online.’

Dustin Diamond Left Out of ‘SBTB’ Reboot

Dustin Diamond played Samuel “Screech” Powers on the popular teen show Good Morning Miss Bliss and Saved By The Bell from 1988 until 1993. The character was incredibly popular was all-consuming, he has said. Diamond struggled to get acting work after it ended.

In 2009, Diamond claimed in the memoir Behind the Bell that his castmates were mean to him. It also claimed there was a lot of sex and drugs happening behind the scenes of the show. He’s since distanced himself from the book and its many claims.

NBC’s Peacock streaming service rebooted the show last year but left Diamond out of the cast. Producers brought back Mario Lopez and several other members of the original cast to reprise their roles.