Kirstie Alley has died following a short battle with cancer (Picture: Getty)

Cheers’ Kelsey Grammer and Rhea Perlman have led tributes to their late co-star Kirstie Alley following her death from cancer aged 71.

The actress died surrounded by her closest family, with a statement describing her as an ‘incredible, fierce and loving mother’.

Alley starred in the NBC sitcom from 1987 and played Rebecca Howe.

Her character quickly became a fan favourite opposite Ted Danson’s womanising bar owner Sam Malone.

Grammer, who played the psychiatrist Frasier Crane alongside Alley in Cheers, admitted that he had loved the actress.

‘I always believed grief for a public figure is a private matter, but I will say I loved her,’ he said in a statement to the PA news agency.

Alley pictured with her Cheers co-stars Kelsey Grammer, Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, John Ratzenberger, Rhea Perlman and George Wendt (Picture: Getty)

Alley and Grammer in episode five of Cheers in 1987 (Picture: Getty)

In a separate statement, Perlman said she had ‘never met anyone remotely like’ Alley, adding that she would miss her ‘very, very much’.

‘Kirstie was a unique and wonderful person and friend. Her joy of being was boundless,’ the Carla Tortelli star said.

‘We became friends almost instantly when she joined the cast of Cheers,’ she continued. ‘She loved kids and my kids loved her too.

‘We had sleepovers at her house, with treasure hunts that she created. She had massive Halloween and Easter parties and invited the entire crew of the show, and their families. She wanted everyone to feel included. She loved her children deeply.

Alley on the set of Cheers with George Wendt and Grammer (Picture: Getty)

‘I’ve never met anyone remotely like her. I feel so thankful to have known her. I’m going to miss her very, very much.’

Perlman and Grammer’s tributes came after Alley’s death was announced by her family.

‘To all our friends, far and wide around the world… We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,’ the family said.

John Travolta, who starred with Alley in the trilogy of Look Who’s Talking films, said his time with the actress represented ‘one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had’.

Alley’s family confirmed the news of her death aged 71 (Picture: Getty)

Sharing a picture of the pair together on Instagram, Travolta penned: ‘Kirstie was one of the most special relationships I’ve ever had.

‘I love you Kirstie. I know we will see each other again.’

Jamie Lee Curtis said the pair had a ‘mutual respect and connection’ when they worked together in more recent years on the comedy horror series Scream Queens.

‘I’ve just heard the sad news that Kirstie Alley has died,’ the Freaky Friday actress wrote, sharing a picture of them together.

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‘She was a great comic foil in Scream Queens and a beautiful mama bear in her very real life. She helped me buy onesies for my family that year for Christmas.

‘We agreed to disagree about some things but had a mutual respect and connection. Sad news.’

Horror director John Carpenter said: ‘Kirstie Alley was a delightful actress I had the pleasure to work with on VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED. She will be missed.’

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‘I loved her’.