"Saved by the Bell" star Dustin Diamond has been hospitalized in Florida and is "likely" battling cancer, according to a report.
TMZ reported on Jan. 12 that the nostalgia-inducing actor checked in to a medical facility after feeling uneasy and experiencing pain all over his body. Doctors have supposedly performed a number of tests to determine what's wrong and are now awaiting results.
Dustin's medical team is "concerned it's cancer," TMZ reported. The specific type of cancer that doctors suspect remains a mystery.
Cancer runs in Dustin's family: His mother died of breast cancer.
Dustin famously played Screech on the NBC sitcom during the late '80s and early '90s, but he hasn't been in touch with his castmates since the show wrapped. In fact, he's the only original cast member who wasn't offered a gig on the Peacock reboot.
In 2019, Mark-Paul Gosselaar said it had been 25 years since he and Dustin spoke. There is a reason for Dustin's falling out with his Bayside High classmates.
In 2009, he released a book titled "Behind the Bell" that painted a dark picture of the show, alleging drug use and backstabbing. Most of the cast, including Mark, spoke out against the book, calling it fiction. In 2014, Lifetime released a movie largely based on the book: "The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story."
Dustin eventually said he didn't write the book and apologized for it.
"I will say, guys, I'm sorry that this has taken advantage of me — the book and other situation," Dustin said during an appearance on "The Dr. Oz Show."
"But I'm sure that you've experienced downfalls as well in your time, and I'm still loving you guys," he added.