Patrick Swayze trained as a dancer

The actor, who is also a trained dancer, will play the part of Nathan Detroit, which was made famous by Frank Sinatra in the 1955 film.

Swayze, 53, will join the cast at London's Piccadilly Theatre for eight weeks from 10 July.

A West End version of Dirty Dancing will also launch this year - but Swayze will not be appearing.

Swayze started his career on stage and his big break was playing Danny Zuko in a Broadway production of Grease.

He is best known for his roles in the films Ghost and Dirty Dancing but returned to musical theatre in 2003 when he joined the Broadway cast of Chicago.

Michael Grandage's revival of Guys and Dolls opened in London last year, starring Ewan McGregor and Ally McBeal actress Jane Krakowski, and recently extended by its run to December 2006.