Pauline Quirke, 65, reveals she’s been diagnosed with dementia: Birds Of A Feather star set to ‘step away’ from acting duties to ‘spend time with her family’ after a 50-year career

Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia, her husband Steve Sheen has revealed.

The Birds Of A Feather star, 65, is set to ‘step back from all commercial and professional duties’, her husband revealed in a statement, after she was first diagnosed with the disease in 2021.

As well as her role in the comedy Birds Of A Feather, Pauline also had roles in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and a BAFTA nominated performance in The Sculptress.

In a statement revealing Pauline’s diagnosis for the first time, Steve said: ‘It is with a heavy heart that I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to step back from all professional and commercial duties due to her dementia diagnosis in 2021.

‘Pauline has been an inspiration through her work in the film and TV industries, her charitable efforts and as the founder of the highly successful Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA). Her talent, dedication and vision have touched countless lives and will continue to do so through the legacy of her work and through PQA, where her vision and guidance has facilitated the progress and interest of many young people in the arts and increased their self-confidence.

‘Pauline is perhaps best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous from Birds of a Feather, the hilarious sitcom that ran for almost thirty years.

Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia and will step back from her acting duties, her husband Steve Sheen has revealed

‘On the drama front, her BAFTA-nominated role in The Sculptress was outstanding, as was her role as the mysterious Susan Wright in ITV’s Broadchurch.

‘A testament to her versatile acting talents, she also starred or appeared in more than 60 TV and film productions, including Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, Cold Blood, Thieving Headmistress, My Family, You, Me and the Apocalypse, and of course Emmerdale . .

‘During her epic 50-year career, Pauline has been nominated for many awards, including Best TV Comedy Actress at the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards and has received multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Comedy Performer in the National Television Awards (NTAs).

‘In 2022, Pauline was awarded an MBE in the belated Queen’s Final Birthday Honours. It was a heartfelt recognition of her incredible work with young people, her contributions to entertainment and her dedication to charities.

‘Her acting career has now ended, but the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA), with a network of approximately 250 academies and more than 15,000 students across the UK, remains robust and will continue to operate normally in line with Pauline’s plans. ideology.

“Our experienced senior leadership team will sustain the success and growth of the Academies, building on the foundations, ethos and philosophy that inspired Pauline from its inception in 2007.

‘We kindly ask for privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period.

‘For the time being, we will not conduct any interviews or make any further statements, as Pauline only wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren.

“We are very grateful for the support of her colleagues, the public and PQA’s dedicated staff and directors.”

Pauline’s last public appearance took place in February 2023, when she was awarded an MBE by Prince William for services to young people, entertainment and charity.

The TV sitcom star is best known for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the hit comedy Birds of A Feather.

Pauline starred in the show alongside Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph from 1988 to 1999, and in a revival from 2014-2017.

In 2022, it was reported that Pauline was involved in a feud with her former co-star Linda, but she later backtracked on the claims.

Responding to the speculation, Linda explained: ‘It’s a load of nonsense that we’ve had any consequences. We didn’t fall out and we never fell out. I’ve been best friends with her since we were ten years old. We never had an argument.’

Linda and Pauline recently reunited with their former Birds of a Feather co-star Lesley Joseph to discuss the possibility of a comeback.

Linda – who played Tracey Stubbs in the sitcom – told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ‘I was having lunch with Pauline at London’s The Delaunay last Friday and it was discussed.’

The close friends – who played Tracey and Sharon Theodopolopodous – have been friends for more than 50 years and starred together in 12 series and two Christmas specials of Birds of a Feather.

However, Pauline was absent from the 2020 Birds of a Feather special, leading to rumors of a fallout.