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.

According to People, he made the surprise appearance via a pre-recorded video that was projected onstage despite not being well enough to attend the event in person.

The event featured a live reading of the series' pilot episode, which Van Der Beek, who played Dawson Leery in the hit American teen drama series, was due to participate in.

In a post shared on Instagram, Van Der Beek said: "This is the evening I'd been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January.

"So you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment.

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

"Despite every effort... I won't get to be there. I won't get to stand on that stage and thank every soul in the theater for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most.

"But I DO have an understudy. A ridiculously overqualified replacement who would have been #1 on my wishlist (had I ever dreamed he'd be available). Someone my kids would definitely consider an upgrade over me... Plus, he already knows how to get to the theater. So that's convenient."

The series, which ran for six seasons from 1998 until 2003, follows a group of friends as they navigate different stages of their adolescence together.

He added: "The role of Dawson, usually played by James Van Der Beek...will be played by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Can't believe I just got to type that.

"Everyone please enjoy all the love in that room. Shine some on my family. I will be beaming and receiving from afar in a bed in Austin.

"And thank you @lin_manuel . You were a hero to my kids before... now you're a demigod."

In November, the Dawson's Creek star said in an interview with People that he was "privately dealing" with the diagnosis and "taking steps to resolve it".

He told People he has also been prioritising time with his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.

He acknowledged his diagnosis on an Instagram post to his 1.6 million followers, where he apologised to his loved ones who had learned about his cancer through the press.