Patrick Swayze lost his battle against cancer yesterday, aged 57, with his family by his bedside. The 'Dirty Dancing' star had been suffering from Stage 4 pancreatic cancer since January 2008, but was determined to maintain a sense of normality and even starred as the lead in US TV show 'The Beast' while he was ill (however, the show - which began in January 2009 - was cancelled in June because Patrick was unable to promote the programme). Following his death, his publicist released a statement reading: "Patrick Swayze passed away peacefully today with family at his side after facing the challenges of his illness for the last 20 months."

Patrick - who was named the Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine in 1991, a title since held by actors including Hugh Jackman, Brad Pitt and George Clooney - was born in 1952 in Houston, Texas, to mother Patsy and father Jessie. Patrick grew up with two biological brothers and two adopted sisters, and pursued his interest in music and drama while at school in Texas. However, it wasn't until he moved to New York in 1972 to study at the Harkness Ballet and Joffrey Ballet schools that his true dance ability came out. And it was for this dancing that Patrick is arguably most well known.

Despite starring in a few films, his breakthrough role came in 'Dirty Dancing' in 1987. Patrick quickly became one of the hottest heartthrobs of the moment thanks to his performance as bad boy dancer Johnny Castle in the tearjerker film. And it is from 'Dirty Dancing' that one of the most famous film quotes of all times comes, when Patrick's character Johnny walks over to love interest 'Baby' (played by Jennifer Grey) and tells her father, "Nobody puts Baby in the corner!" Thanks to Patrick's performance in the film, it quickly became one of the most popular films of the time, and was the first movie to sell a million copies on video. After learning of Patrick's death, Jennifer said: "He was a real cowboy, with a good heart."

But Patrick found it difficult to forge a successful career following the immense popularity of 'Dirty Dancing', and didn't have the same success until he starred alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Demi Moore in 'Ghost' in 1990. Patrick starred as a man who is murdered and then comes back as a ghost to haunt his wife (played by Demi Moore) to help her solve his murder. Again, Patrick became part of movie history in the film, with the scene where he and Demi sit together astride a pottery wheel becoming one of the sexiest shots of all time (it has also become one of the most popularly mocked scenes among comedy sketch shows).

While Patrick reached the same levels of fame in 'Ghost' as he did in 'Dirty Dancing', he never had such a famous role again. He starred in 'Donnie Darko' in 2004 and made an uncredited role as a dance instructor in 'Dirty Dancing' sequel 'Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights'. But Patrick never gave up - his lack of film roles didn't deter him, they just encouraged him to try his luck in the theatre, and in 2006, Patrick starred as Nathan Detroit in 'Guys and Dolls' in London. Following the sad news of Patrick's deaht, his 'Guys and Dolls' co-star Claire Sweeney said: "It's really really sad. I mean, I got the news a year and a half ago that he had pancreatic cancer and we were told he had less than four hours to live, but it shows the strength of his character that he has made it through a year and a half. Patrick was a phenomenally strong guy, he believed in the power of the mind. It's just tragic, at 57 years of age. He was so generous, very kind and caring and just a lovely friend."

And one of the things that made Patrick so strong was his marriage to Lisa Niemi. The pair - who met in 1970 when Patrick was only 18 - defied all the laws of Hollywood marriages, and remained married for 34 years until his death. Patrick always credited Lisa for helping him stay strong following various treatments for his cancer. The pair had no children, and remained entirely devoted to each other throughout their lengthy marriage.

When Barbara Walters, who first interviewed Patrick in 1988 following the success of 'Dirty Dancing', interviewed Patrick and Lisa earlier this year, Patrick explained: "I've never been one to run away from a challenge. I don't know if I'm scared.I will be so either truthful or stupid as to say no. But then I immediately, when I say that, I have to say yes, I am. You can bet that I'm going through hell. And I've only seen the beginning of it." But speaking about how Lisa had helped him since his diagnosis, Patrick touchingly revealed: "I have no greater respect for any other human being on this earth like I have for her. Part of me says I couldn't have made it through without her, but, of course, the other part of me says I could have, but not nearly as elegantly as I have."  The most moving quote of all from the Barbara Walters is possibly when Patrick explained what he thought the afterlife hold for him, saying: "I don't know what's on the other side. It tests everything I believe in … that here is something unique in all of us that does not, does not die."

So, as we lose a true Hollywood legend, who has maintained a sense of dignity throughout his illness, and remained well-loved by fans worldwide, there is nothing left to say except, RIP Patrick, we'll miss you.

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Dirty Patrick Swayze dies of cancer Patrick Swayze, the dancer-turned-actor died yesterday with his family by his bedside - watch the tribute video here... READ MORE