Kirstie Alley defends Cruise over video

Kirstie Alley has become the latest celebrity Scientologist to defend Tom Cruise against criticism of his faith in the religion.

Cruise was mocked last week, after a four-year-old promotional video which sees the actor discussing his devotion to Scientology was leaked online.

The actor describes Scientology as a "blast" in the video, and shows his appreciation for the church's founder L. Ron Hubbard by saluting a portrait of the sci-fi writer. He also claims that only Scientologists can "really help" people who have been injured in car accidents.

"Tom was using words meant for a Scientology audience," Alley insisted. "On the web, the video is take out of context. It's like a rabbi addressing a Christian church, speaking in Hebrew. No one would understand him."

The actress recently claimed that she would be dead without Scientology.

Cruise has also been defended by his film-making partner Paula Wagner and actor John Travolta.