Swayze is treated for pneumonia

Swayze plays a veteran FBI agent in The Beast

Actor Patrick Swayze is being treated in hospital after contracting pneumonia, a TV executive working on his new drama series has revealed.

Swayze, 56, who has pancreatic cancer, had been due to appear at a meeting of the Television Critics Association in Los Angeles to discuss drama The Beast.

Robert DeBitetto, an executive of cable channel A&E, told the meeting the news.

This week, Swayze told TV interviewer Barbara Walters that he may survive only two years.

Patrick wishes me to tell you that he's very sorry he cannot attend but plans to get back to promoting The Beast soon Robert DeBitettoA&E

"Patrick has asked that I tell you that this morning he checked himself into the hospital for observation," Mr DeBitetto told Friday's meeting.

"Chemotherapy can take its toll on the immune system and illnesses are a part of that.

"Patrick wishes me to tell you that he's very sorry he cannot attend but plans to get back to promoting The Beast soon."

The star's spokeswoman, Annett Wolf, confirmed that Swayze was in hospital but would not provide further details.

The Beast begins in the US next week.

Virulent form

In Wednesday's ABC interview with Walters, Swayze's first since he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, he said: "Am I dying? Am I giving up? Am I on my death bed? Am I saying goodbye to people? No way."

The Ghost star added that people had told him he was "out of his mind" to shoot the new detective series while undergoing a rigorous and experimental treatment without painkillers.

He was diagnosed with the disease early last year, and last month denied US tabloid reports that he was close to death, saying he was winning the fight against cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most virulent forms of cancer which medical experts say has a 5% five-year survival rate.