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Dirty Dancing's iconic dance wasn't as perfect as it looks, reveals star Jennifer Grey

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Sharnaz Shahid
Deputy Online Editor
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Dirty Dancing is one of Hollywood's most memorable films, particularly the iconic lift scene with leading stars Jennifer Grey and the late Patrick Swayze. But in a new interview, Jennifer - who played Frances Houseman aka Baby - has revealed that the effortless stunt almost didn't happen due to Patrick's knee injury. Speaking about the outdoor lake scene, the 56-year-old actress told Sunday People: "I remember swimming in the lake was very, very, very cold. You have to be really young and hungry to get in water that cold for that long."

"It was not good," she added. "It just didn't feel healthy to be in that water." The stars later performed the same lift in the film's finale routine to hit song, Time Of My Life. Both Jennifer and Patrick immediately shot to fame together in the 1987 film and remained good friends. However, Patrick passed away aged 57 in 2009 after a long struggle with pancreatic cancer.

Jennifer Grey has opened up about the iconic lake scene from Dirty Dancing

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As Dirty Dancing celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, Jennifer recently opened up about working with Patrick, who played dance instructor Johnny Castle. "His fearlessness with my fearfulness - it was like a marriage where you have two opposites," she explained to Closer magazine. "He would do anything and I would be scared to do anything. [But] he was really strong and very protective of me." She continued: "I had the time of my life and Patrick really had his heart in it. He was a great dancer and he was fearless."

dancing 2a© Photo: Getty Images

"I remember swimming in the lake was very, very, very cold," she said

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Two years ago it was announced that there will be a television remake of Dirty Dancing. The project is scheduled for release later this year and will star Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin as Baby, while Colt Prattes will play Johnny and Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland will take on the role of Baby's sister, Lisa.