Swayze cleared for new drama series

Patrick Swayze, who is battling pancreatic cancer, has been given the go ahead to star in a new US drama series.

The Beast will see the actor play an unorthodox FBI detective who, along with his partner (Travis Fimmel), is being tracked by a secret Internal Affairs team.

Swayze said in a statement: "I have searched for quite a long time to find a character that is this mutilayered, unpredictable and downright entertaining as well as a project this current and cutting-edged."

Cable channel A&E, which is developing the series for a possible debut early next year, confirmed that doctors had cleared the 55-year-old to take part. He was diagnosed with the disease earlier this year.

Channel vice president Bob DeBitetto said The Beast is "unique in its combination of emotional storytelling, compelling plotlines and action elements".