Busy Philipps's heart is "deeply hurting" following James Van Der Beek's death

Busy - who played Audrey Liddell on the show - wrote on Instagram alongside photos of herself and James over the years: "My heart is deeply hurting for all of us today...every person who knew James and loved him, anyone who loved his work or had the pleasure of meeting him, all of his dear friends and community that surrounded him as he battled this illness, especially his parents and brother and sister.

"But I am profoundly heartbroken for his incredible wife Kimberly and their six magical children. There is a go fund me for them to help out and i'll put the link in my stories. James Van Der Beek was one in a billion and he will be forever missed and i don't know what else to say. i am just so so sad. He was my friend and i loved him and i'm so grateful for our friendship all these years.[heart emoji].(sic)"

Kerr Smith, who played Jack McPhee on the show, paid tribute to his "brother".

He wrote on Instagram: "I'm so grateful for being able to call James a brother. I'll miss him deeply. Rest easy."

James' Dawson's Creek screen mom, Mary-Margaret Humes, admitted her co-star's passing had left her "at a loss for words".

She wrote on Instagram: "Rarely am I at a loss for words ... today would be the exception.

"James, my gracious warrior, you fought a hard battle against all odds with such quiet strength and dignity. I will always love and admire you for that.

"Our last conversations ... merely a few days ago ... are forever sitting softly in my heart for safe keeping.

"To our extended Dawson's Creek family of friends, please be respectful of our silences at the moment as Beautiful Kimberly and family have asked for peaceful privacy for now.(sic)"

Sasha Alexander, who played Gretchen Witter, the older sister of Pacey Witter and a girlfriend of Dawson, admitted she was "heartbroken" by the news.

She commentd on Mary-Margaret's post: "Just heartbroken. I am so sorry for all of our losses. James was a beautiful soul and kind human. Prayers for his whole family."

She later shared her own tribute, adding photos of James over the years.

She wrote: "It feels like yesterday that we were sitting beneath those pink Wilmington sunsets, filming during the beautiful Dawson's Creek years. What made Dawson special was the man who played him.

"James was a deep, thoughtful soul. He took his work seriously, not out of ego, but out of care. He cared about being a good actor. He cared about doing things well and he never took any of it for granted. But more than anything, he cared about people. He cared about his family. He cared about showing up fully."

"I am heartbroken for everyone who loved him, especially his beautiful family.

"I will always be grateful that I got to stand in his light for a little while. That I got to laugh with him, go to prom with Dawson and grow up alongside him. He will live on in our memories, and in the kindness he left behind. Rest in Peace, my friend."

The official Instagram page for the show hailed James' portrayal of Dawson Leery "iconic".

A statement said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of James Van Der Beek.

"His iconic portrayal of Dawson Leery helped define a generation of television for fans and continues to resonate with audiences today. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."