Swayze denies reports he is 'near death'

Patrick Swayze has denied tabloid speculation that he is preparing to die from pancreatic cancer.

Photographs published in the National Enquirer appeared to show the Ghost star looking frail, with an unnamed friend admitting that the actor "knows the end is near".

However, the 56-year-old has released a statement dismissing the report as untrue, insisting that he was "amazed [by such] negative stories about me and my health when there are so many positive things going on in my life right now".

"I started a new chemotherapy and, once again, I am one of the lucky ones with pancreatic cancer that is responding well to the treatment."

Swayze, who was diagnosed with the illness last January, revealed that he was spending time with his new puppy, working on his forthcoming book and "enjoying the fantastic response from everyone on my A&E series The Beast".

He added: "I hope in the future the press will think twice about printing inaccuracies and painting an unpleasant picture when I have so much to be thankful for at this time."

This is not the first time that Swayze has been forced to deny allegations about his health. Last December, the actor blasted tabloids for claiming that he was "on his last legs", slamming the reporting as "shoddy" and "reckless".