Kirstie Alley – who rose to fame after appearing on the American sitcom Cheers – has died at the age of 71.
In a statement, her children said: “We are sad to inform you that our incredibly fierce and loving mother has passed away after a brief battle with only recently discovered cancer.
“She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with the assurance of her infinite joy of life and whatever adventure awaited her.”
Alley was loved for her role in the long-running American comedy Cheers, in which she played the on-and-off love interest of Boston bar owner Sam, played by Ted Danson.
