James Van Der Beek surprises Dawson's Creek fans with video message at reunion event in New York

James Van Der Beek played Dawson Leery in the hit American teen drama series Dawson's Creek. Picture: Getty Images.

James Van Der Beek surprised Dawson's Creek fans with an appearance via a pre-recorded video at the Dawson's Creek Class Reunion charity event in New York on Monday.

The 48-year-old was left "gutted" after he was forced to pull out of the event, benefiting F Cancer and Van Der Beek, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer last year.