Mario Lopez has revealed that he has spoken to Dustin Diamond following the news that his former Saved By The Bell co-star has cancer.

Diamond, 44, confirmed on Thursday that he has stage four cancer, having been hospitalised in Florida last weekend complaining of full-body pain.

Little is known at present about exactly which cancer Diamond is suffering from, nor his treatment plan, but in an Instagram post Lopez has said that he is optimistic that the actor will make a recovery.

"I connected with Dustin earlier this evening and although the news of his diagnosis is heartbreaking, we remain positive that he'll overcome this," he wrote, alongside pictures of the pair together as child stars and adults.

"Praying for him & his family and for a speedy recovery. God Bless"

Diamond played Samuel 'Screech' Powers on the kids comedy and various spinoffs for 12 years.