Whoopi Goldberg pays tribute to Patrick Swayze

Actress Whoopi Goldberg has paid tribute to Patrick Swayze for his contribution and help she says he gave to her in winning her best supporting actress Oscar .

Goldberg won the award in 1990 for her role of psychic medium Oda Mae Brown, in the hit film Ghost, in which she co-starred with Swayze - who was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

Goldburg was speaking on the US talk show The View. which she has co hosted since last year, she added Swayze, 55, told director Jerry Zucker: "I'm not making this movie unless you put Whoopi in there."

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."

Swayze is said to be responding well to treatment, and has a very limited amount of disease. Earlier media reports that he may only have five weeks to live, have been branded totally untrue by his physician Dr George Fisher.