why are all the best men condemmed to die?

Life is not always fair, miss. But for every tragedy, there are also victories: Orlando Bloom recovered from a broken back when he was younger, for example, and Eric Dane beat his skin cancer.

While it is sad that so many well-known celebrities perish, you should remember that the average person nowadays lives longer, and with more comforts, than at any time before in the history of mankind. There is a lot to be thankful for.

The latest from Skynews.

Patrick Has Cancer

Patrick Swayze's rep has confirmed to Sky Showbiz that the actor is suffering from pancreatic cancer.

But they call the reports he's only got five weeks left to live as "untrue".

The statement released to Sky Showbiz contained a quote from Patrick's physician Dr George Fisher, saying: "Patrick has a very limited amount of disease and he appears to be responding well to treatment thus far.

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

His rep concluded: "Patrick is continuing his normal schedule during this time, which includes working on upcoming projects.

"The outpouring of support and concern he has already received from the public is deeply appreciated by Patrick and his family."

Last month Patrick had undergone a gastrointestinal procedure at Stanford University Medical Center and was "home and happy" following the procedure.

The 55 year old has just finished filming the movie Powder Blue starring alongside Jessica Biel and Lisa Kudrow and had wrapped on TV movie The Beast in which he plays an FBI Agent.

Our LA reporter who spoke to Patrick's rep said: "There is a general shock out here in LA about Patrick's illness. Although there were reports last month about him having surgery, all was thought to be well.

"Patrick is a much-loved actor in Hollywood and everyone is hoping he makes a full recovery."

It's hard to define who the "best men" are - the man on the street goes without his death being reported in the media, but to his family and friends, he could've been everything.

Celebrities taken away prematurely seems to shake us up more, perhaps because they appear larger than life and live their lives in the limelight.

But they're no different from the millions of others gone who have touched the lives of who they've known during their time here on earth. Let the good deeds of these "best men" continue to live on in our memories until it is our own turn to cross over - proof that death is not the end. Even those who have passed on can teach us - the living - how to live our lives, and live our lives well.

Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp are still alive and kicking. Surely they rate over Jeremy Beadle in womens top ten men lists?

Is Jeremy Beadle a hunk?

Its such a shame when people die young when they have given so much - I wish would could do a swop and it be someone like Paris Hilton or Kerry Katona instead.

Ideally it wouldn't be anyone but some people are just more worthy of staying alive than others...................

"Condemned", is not the word I'd use.

When we signed on the contract called "Life", we agreed on "Death" too.

Life is what we make of it, and we all have to "die", one day.

Take consolation that, Patrick Swayze has a "time frame", and given that, would hopefully be able to do whatever needs to be done.

For most, untimely deaths w/o warning are more "tragic", in a way.

Well it´s not fair that anyone dies, but I find it really sad taht Patrick Swayze is that sick, gosh, he did Dirty Dancing and we all liked him there...I haven´t heard of 5 weeks, they say people can live 5 yrs after that, maybe more ...my grandfather died of something similar and it´s agony.

Lol all the best men, jeremy beadle, heath ledger, yeah, what a list! draw up a list of all the non dead and condemnded good men, im sure there are a few of us left...

Where did this 5 weeks come from?

According to his doctors, "he is responding well to treatment and the stories about 5 weeks are completely unfounded".