Patrick Swayze has denied tabloid stories that he is near death, after announcing in March he had pancreatic cancer.

The Dirty Dancing star said in a statement he is now home with his family for the holidays after finishing work on his new television series The Beast.

Swayze, 56, said: "The only thorn in my side being that many tabloids have been consistently reporting lies and false information about me and those close to me."

Lately, he said, "they're reporting that I'm on my last legs and saying goodbye to my tearful family."

The National Enquirer has reported Swayze's cancer spread to his liver. The Globe, another tabloid, placed the actor's photo on its cover with the headline 'Swayze Deathbed Secret!'

Swayze told People magazine: "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."

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