The actress Kirstie Alley has died at the age of 71.
She was best known for her role as Rebecca Howe in the long-running US sitcom Cheers.
In a statement, her children said she died after a “short battle with cancer”.
Kirstie Alley with Woody Harrelson in Cheers, 1982“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a short battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” they wrote.
“She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead.”
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Alley also starred alongside John Travolta in the hit 1989 romantic comedy Look Who's Talking.
Paying tribute to her on Instagram, the actor wrote: “Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I've ever had. I love you, Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.”
From 1997 to 2000 Alley had her own sitcom on US network NBC, Veronica's Closet.
In 2018 she took part in UK Celebrity Big Brother, in which she finished as runner-up.
Additional reporting from IRN …
