All hail twinkletoes Swayze

Dirty Dancing was never supposed to be a hit. Made on a tiny budget, the producers intended to show it in theatres for just one weekend and take it to the video stores, but something magical happened.

Where did this magic come from? From Jennifer Gray, who played Baby? Nope, she had a horrendous nose job right after the film and vanished into obscurity. From director Emile Ardolino, whose only other hit was Sister Act? Not quite.

The magic came in the form of a gentleman called Patrick Swayze, who was already considered a member of the Brat Pack -- thanks to two roles alongside Rob Lowe, in The Outsiders and Youngblood.

Yet it was Dirty Dancing that truly made Swayze a star. The film was a massive international success, the first ever film to sell over a million copies on video, and continues to be every schoolgirl's initiation into sexy dancing.

Yup, that Johnny Castle, he broke many a heart.

Patrick Swayze passed away yesterday, September 14 after a tough battle with pancreatic cancer.

Swayze looked to be in better shape last year as he got rave reviews for his work in TV series The Beast, but with health concerns, the show was cancelled. Swayze was 57, and is survived by his wife, Lisa Nuemi.

The actor will be much missed, and not just for Dirty Dancing.

It is impossible to think of the act of pottery without grinning at the thought of Swayze and Demi Moore getting their hands dirty in that unforgettable scene from Ghost.

The film was Swayze's greatest box office hit and was followed up by Point Break next year -- the back to back successes leading to Swayze's being crowned People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 1991.

Over the last few years, Patrick kept appearing in interesting, offbeat roles. One of Swayze's most fascinating roles was in cult hit Donnie Darko, where he played a morally bankrupt motivational speaker.

Swayze started his career with Broadway, as a replacement in a production of Grease. It's only fitting that, before his demise, the actor made a West End debut in Guys And Dolls, and completed the theatrical arc -- before going on to garner sensational reviews for his television work.

A true all rounder, a true star.

RIP Patrick Swayze, the man who made dirty dancing good.