Dustin Diamond's girlfriend has revealed that they were planning to start a family together before his death on Monday.

The former Saved By The Bell star passed away suddenly on Monday at the age of 44, just weeks after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Diamond's girlfriend - known just as 'Tash' - said that she was the one who noticed he was not breathing, minutes after he had arrived home for palliative care.

"He was the love of my life," she told the newspaper. "We planned on a future together and spoke often about having kids. I'm heartbroken."

Tash, who had been dating Diamond since last June, added: "Once we had the diagnosis, when he knew he was going to die, we talked about what he wanted. He didn't want the big farewell, he wanted to go in peace.

"You had to experience Dustin as a human being, you can't describe him.

"He was pure fun, I laughed more with him in these few short months that I have in my entire life."

Diamond's Saved By The Bell co-star Lark Voorhies yesterday paid an emotional tribute to "a caring gentleman".