Patrick Swayze, the actor famed for his role in the 1987 hit movie Dirty Dancing, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Swayze was said to have undergone radical chemotherapy in California in January.

However, there were claims that the disease had already spread to the 55-year-old’s other vital organs. Swayze’s spokeswoman declined to comment last night but the New York Post said that a representative for the actor had confirmed his illness.

Swayze, who is married to Lisa Niemi, an actress, capitalised on the film’s popularity to become one of Hollywood’s most famous leading men. He appeared in the West End of London in 2006 as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, but refused to see the stage version of Dirty Dancing, complaining that it had ripped the heart and soul from the movie.

Most patients die within six months of pancreatic cancer being diagnosed because symptoms may not appear until it is very advanced. Last month, it was reported in a New York newspaper that Swayze had undergone surgery for a serious “gastro-intestinal procedure”.

George Fisher, the doctor treating Swayze, said: “All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side-effects are absolutely untrue.” Dr Fisher added: “We are considerably more optimistic.”

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