Goldberg thanks Swayze for Oscar

Goldberg's other films include The Color Purple and Sister Act

Actress Whoopi Goldberg has credited her Ghost co-star Patrick Swayze - who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - with helping her win an Oscar.

Goldberg won a best supporting actress Academy Award for playing psychic Oda Mae Brown in the 1990 film.

Goldberg said Swayze, 55, told director Jerry Zucker: "I'm not making this movie unless you put Whoopi in there."

The actress was speaking on US talk show The View. She became a co-host on the programme last year.

Goldberg said she had not spoken to Swayze about his health but added: "We want you to feel better - we'll talk soon, I hope."

'Responding well'

Some media reports speculated that Swayze had only five weeks to live when news of his cancer broke earlier this week, but his doctor denied this.

"Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far," Dr George Fisher said.

"All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue."

Swayze is best known for his leading roles in Ghost and Dirty Dancing.