Patrick Swayze's dying denial

Dec 3, 2008, 9:45 GMT

Patrick Swayze has blasted claims he is dying.

The 56-year-old actor, who is suffering from pancreatic cancer, is furious at the "emotional cruelty" of reports he has said goodbye to loved ones after being told he has only weeks to live.

He said: "The only thorn in my side being that many reports have been consistently reporting lies and false information about me and those close to me. And latest, they're reporting that I'm on my last legs and saying goodbye to my tearful family!

"Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease and from the moment I was diagnosed, I knew I was in for the fight of my life. It's a battle, and so far, I've been winning. I'm one of the lucky few that responds well to treatment.

"For me, my family, and those close to me, it amounts to downright emotional cruelty. That makes me angry when hope is so precious."

The 'Dirty Dancing' star insists he is delighted with the progress he has made in fighting the disease, even going back to work to film TV series 'The Beast'.

He added: "I'm very proud of the work I've done on my new series 'The Beast', and I am happy to be back home for the holidays. It's a great feeling of accomplishment to say you're going to do something and do it."

News of the actor's illness first broke in March, when it was reported he had just five weeks to live.

It was claimed last week that the disease has now spread to his liver, further endangering his life.