Dustin Diamond spent final moments with his girlfriend Tash Jules

Dustin Diamond was comforted by his girlfriend Tash Jules in his final moments.

Yesterday, the Saved by the Bell actor died from stage 4 small cell carcinoma after being diagnosed three weeks ago. He was 44 years of age.

His manager Roger Paul confirmed he was "feeling out of sorts and he'd had a lump on his neck that he was ignoring" before he was diagnosed.

"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," Paul told People.

Diamond, who was famously known for his role as "Screech" in the original Saved by the Bell, was trying to keep his head high during treatment.

"Of course he was scared, but he tried to find the humour in it. He did chemo — he tried everything possible. But it didn't work," the manager said. "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."

READ MORE: Dustin Diamond: A look back at the life and times of Saved By The Bell star

Three weeks ago, Diamond's team said he'd been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. The actor had started chemotherapy shortly after.

"He was diagnosed with this brutal, relentless form of malignant cancer only three weeks ago," his rep said in a statement. "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.

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