Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek apologises after friends find out about cancer diagnosis in the news

Just hours after his heartbreaking cancer diagnosis hit headlines around the world, and US actor James Van Der Beek has been forced to issue a public apology.

In an interview released by PEOPLE Magazine this weekend (3 November), the Dawson's Creek frontman revealed he'd been dealt the brutal blow of colorectal cancer.

Despite having taken a step back from the spotlight in recent years - following his appearance in nostalgic hits like Varsity Blues and Texas Ranger - fans of the TV star were left heartbroken by the news of his ongoing battle with the disease.

"I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it," he told the publication. "With the support of my incredible family."

Van Der Beek - whose last on-screen stint was on the Emmy-nominated FX series Pose as Matt Bromley in 2019, before his Dancing With The Stars appearance the same year - added: "There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good."

Now, however, the beloved 90s star has issued a follow-up statement, apologising to any of his close friends or family who learned the news of his cancer diagnosis through his interview with press.

Taking to Instagram, he shared a video of himself playing alongside his children and penned in an emotional follow-up statement: "It is cancer...

"Each year, approximately 2 billion people around the world receive this diagnosis. And I’m one of them."

He added: "There’s no playbook for how announce these things, but I’d planned on talking about it at length with PEOPLE Magazine at some point soon... to raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms.

"But that plan had to be altered early this morning when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news."

According to the NHS, colorectal cancer is diagnosed when the disease is found anywhere in the large bowel - which also includes the colon and rectum.

Whilst it's considered a rather common type of cancer in the UK, early treatment is key to avoid the dangerous cells spreading elsewhere in the body.

It was then that he issued his sorrow for the way the news broke.

"Apologies to all the people in my life who I'd planned on telling myself," Van Der Beek wrote. "Nothing about this process has occurred on my preferred timeline...

"But we roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention.

"Please know that my family and I deeply appreciate all the love and support. More to come..."

The 47-year-old father-of-six - who shares four daughters and two sons with business consultant wife Kimberly Brook - went on to admit that he'd been handling his diagnosis 'privately until now', but adding that he's since been 'getting treatment and dialing in my overall health with greater focus than ever before'.

Van Der Beek went on: "I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready."