Mario Lopez says his former Saved by the Bell costar Dustin Diamond ‘was like a little brother’

Mario Lopez reflected on his final conversation with Dustin Diamond, which happened less than two weeks before his former Saved By the Bell costar’s death. 

During Tuesday’s episode of his show Access Hollywood, the 47-year-old host told audiences that Diamond ‘was like a little brother’ to him. 

‘I’m happy to say and I feel good about always having stayed in touch with Dustin,’ Lopez said of the late star, who died just three weeks after being diagnosed with stage four small-cell lung carcinoma on Monday.  

He continued: ‘He had some struggles and a complicated life, but we all do.’  

The father-of-three explained that despite their long distance friendship, he knew they were only a ‘a phone call away when he moved to Wisconsin.’ 

‘I don’t abandon, like, my friends or never turn my back on people that are always there for me and I stood by him,’ Lopez explained. ‘We stayed in touch and he met his girlfriend recently.’

Additionally, the pals ‘were actually discussing’ an onscreen reunion on the ‘upcoming season’ of the Saved By the Bell reboot ‘just two weeks prior to him passing.’   

The TV host also admitted he ‘was trying to convince him to do something in the reality space,’ which would have been produced by him and ‘actually pretty funny.’   

The X Factor alum noted: ‘Unfortunately that won’t come to fruition now, but he was in good spirits at least. He was pretty positive and optimistic last I spoke to him.’  

As for Diamond’s legacy, Lopez said he hopes his friend is ‘remembered as a nice guy, good person’ and somebody that ‘always took time to speak with people that were fans and wanted to connect with him.’ 

Diamond was best known for his role as the nerdy Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers on Saved by the Bell when he was 11-years-old, a role he played for 13 years through various installments of the popular teen sitcom. 

He reportedly had a large lump on his neck before he died and was hesitant about having it seen by a doctor for fear of attracting public attention. 

Diamond’s girlfriend, Tash Jules, 39, exclusively told DailyMail.com, ‘He was the love of my life. We planned on a future together and spoke often about having kids. I’m heartbroken.’

Tash, a certified pharmacy technician, said she is devastated and her entire world has been turned upside down. But she said she will cherish the last time he was able to speak to her – just one day before he died.

‘Even though he was struggling to breathe and had difficulty speaking he was able to get out the words to me, ‘I love you,’ I told him I loved him back.’