Cheers star opens up

Kelsey Grammer, the star of Cheers and Frasier revealed yesterday the personal heartbreak he still experiences following his sister Karen's brutal murder in 1975.

In an emotional interview with BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, Grammer says that he honours his sister's life by ensuring that her killer stays behind bars, reports the Daily Mail.

"I have learnt to forgive. I have even told the guy I forgive him, although I don't advocate his freedom. I don't think that is reasonable.", Grammer said.

The star has helped to block attempts by killer Freddie Glenn to get parole twice and said it's important to speak up for the rights of the victims' families.

He said: "In a letter to the parole board, I said the punishment shouldn't be worse for the family than it is for the guy that killed the person and that's what this feels like sometimes."

Grammer was 20 at the time and he said that the murder almost pushed him over the edge, with his belief in God being shattered (he has since recovered his faith).

After repeatedly raping Karen, Glenn stabbed her, leaving her to die. He was convicted in 1976 of killing Karen Grammer and two other victims the year before and received the death penalty before it was overturned on appeal.