Dustin Diamond had his heartbroken girlfriend by his side as he lost his battle with cancer.
The Saved By The Bell star, who played Screech Powers, tragically died on Monday at the age of 44. He had been diagnosed with stage 4 small cell carcinoma just a few weeks ago.
But his manager Roger Paul has confirmed that he wasn't alone in his final hours - telling People that his girlfriend Tash Jules was with him.
It was Tash who had convinced Dustin to go to the hospital after he found a lump on his neck but ignored it.
Roger told the publication: "He was afraid of the public attention if he went into the hospital. But finally, his girlfriend took him and the doctors confirmed it was cancer.
"Of course he was scared, but he tried to find the humor in it. He did chemo — he tried everything possible. But it didn't work. Dustin tried to be as positive as he could throughout everything — that's who he was — but he was scared.
"He didn't want to die."
Dustin's tragic death was confirmed by his representative, who said there was some mercy in the fact that the actor did not suffer at the end.
They said: "We are saddened to confirm of Dustin Diamond’s passing on Monday, February 1st, 2021 due to carcinoma.
"He was diagnosed with this brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer only three weeks ago.
"In that time, it managed to spread rapidly throughout his system; the only mercy it exhibited was its sharp and swift execution.
"Dustin did not suffer.
"He did not have to lie submerged in pain. For that, we are grateful."
The rep continued: "We've been working alongside Dustin over the last twenty-one years.
"It goes without saying that our relationship cannot be categorized exclusively as business.
"He has become a larger part of our everyday life: A part of our family and friend circle.
"We are aware that Dustin is not considered reputable by most. He's had a history of mishaps, of unfortunate events.
"We want the public to understand that he was not intentionally malevolent.
"He - much like the rest of those who act out and behave poorly - had undergone a great deal of turmoil and heartache.
"His actions, though rebukeable, stemmed from loss and the lack of knowledge on how to process that pain properly.
"In actuality, Dustin was a humorous and high-spirited individual whose greatest passion was to make others laugh.
"He was able to sense and feel other peoples' emotions to such a length that he was able to feel them too — a strength and a flaw, all in one."
