Alley revels in new 'fat' role

"Fat actress" isn't a label many people in Hollywood would embrace, but former Cheers star Kirstie Alley is revelling in it.

She even enjoyed seeing what she admits is an unflattering shot of her ample rear end on a movie screen at the premiere party for her new sitcom, Fat Actress.

Alley plays an overweight, out-of-work actress. The first episode opens with her wailing on the floor of her bathroom having realised that the reason she can't get a job is her size.

"My message wasn't 'Oh wow, don't I look beautiful even though I'm hefty'," Alley said. "I was trying to accomplish somebody pathetically realising that they're really fat."