James Van Der Beek made a surprise appearance at the Dawson's Creek reunion, after previously dropping out due to illness

In a pre-recorded video, which was projected onto the stage, he said: "I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together.

"I can't believe I'm not there. I can't believe I don't get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person.

"And just I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theatre for being here tonight. From the cast to the crew to everybody who's doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you - you are the best fans in the world.

"Thank you for coming. It's just absolutely humbling just how much you did for this night, and I just want to say thank you. Thank you to every single person here."

As well as thanking the show's fans, he also introduced Lin-Manuel Miranda as his "understudy", and joked the Hamilton playwright was an "upgrade" on him.

He added: "And, obviously, on Dawson's Creek, I had an understudy, but this is a problem... and, we figured trying to find somebody who had never understudied in this theatre before."

James' appearance comes after he pulled out of the event, in which the cast of the hit teen TV show reunited for a live reading of the pilot episode in aid of the F Cancer charity.

Explaining his decision, the star - who portrayed Dawson Leery in the show - wrote on Instagram: "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.

"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 theatre for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most."

The event still went ahead with cast members Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson.