Tabloids made Alley lose weight

Former Cheers star Kirstie Alley is happy the American tabloids have been poking fun at her size because she would never have known just how big she was if it wasn't for paparazzi pictures.

The larger-than-life actress is now slowly trying to get back into shape and has lost weight over the summer (04) - and she credits those who mocked her with giving her the will to shed the pounds.

She says: "I didn't know how fat I was. I mean, thanks to the tabloids, I found out how fat I was. I sort of wasn't paying attention."

And she confesses the time she was mistaken for a pregnant woman was the turning point.

She adds: "It was about eight months ago and I got out of a car at a hotel and the valet person said: 'When are you due?' I just said: '11 weeks.'"

Alley reveals she's delighted to be on the way back to being a normal weight because she now realises how terrible life is when you're fat.

She explains: "It makes life uncomfortable. I can't move as fast, I can't jump around as much, I can't dress the way I want to. It's an inconvenience to me more than anything."