Swayze to be cremated

Patrick Swayze is to be cremated within 48 hours, according to online reports today.

The ‘Dirty Dancing’ actor – who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Monday aged 57 – will have his ashes scattered on his New Mexico ranch.

Website RadarOnline reports: “Swayze loved the ranch and visited whenever he could. Swayze turned his Rancho de Dias Alegres (Ranch of Happy Days) into a wildlife preserve and timber farm, he loved the rugged mountains and canyons of his ranch and the cowboy life he led there.”

Swayze was well known in the area, and often told friends it was his favourite place to be.

He could often be found flying his private jet across the ranch, and was well-loved by locals.

A host of stars have paid their respects to Swayze following his death, with his ‘Point Break’ co-star Keanu Reeves the latest to speak about his memories of the actor.

Reeves said: "He was a beautiful person, an artist."