“He’s undergoing chemo so he will be [at the hospital] at least another week, and then we will figure out when he gets to come home,” the Saved by the Bell alum’s rep told Entertainment Weekly on Thursday, January 14. “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.”

The rep called the diagnosis “serious,” telling the magazine that while Diamond, 44, was feeling “fine” on Thursday, that was not the case when he was admitted to a Florida hospital earlier in the week.

“He was fading in and out, feeling sleepy and tired,” the rep added. “On top of all this he also has shingles, so he’s been in a lot of pain.”

A second rep for the actor told EW that Diamond’s health scare began with “a huge lump on his throat.”

The star’s team announced via Facebook earlier on Thursday that he has cancer. “We ask everyone to respect Dustin’s privacy during this difficult time . All positivity and prayers are appreciated,” they said in a statement at the time, asking fans to send him cards and letters as he battles the disease.

Diamond, who previously lost his mother to breast cancer, is best known for playing Samuel “Screech” Powers. After starring as the character in the ‘80s Disney Channel sitcom Good Morning, Miss Bliss, he brought it over to NBC’s Saved by the Bell franchise. The original show aired from 1989 to 1993 followed by a series of sequels and spinoffs.

The California native was the only main Saved by the Bell cast member who did not appear in Peacock’s revival, which premiered in November 2020.

Diamond had his fair share of drama with his former costars in the past, most infamously after the 2009 publication of his book, Behind the Bell. However, Mario Lopez and Tiffani Thiessen put aside their differences with the Celebrity Big Brother U.K. alum on Thursday after hearing about his cancer diagnosis.

“I connected with Dustin earlier this evening and although the news of his diagnosis is heartbreaking, we remain positive that he’ll overcome this. Praying for him & his family and for a speedy recovery. God bless,” Lopez, 47, tweeted. Meanwhile, Thiessen, 46, wrote, “Thinking of you Dustin” on her Instagram Stories.

This story originally appeared on: US Magazine - Author:Nicholas Hautman