Pauline Quirke's family share heartbreaking update about her dementia

Pauline Quirke's family have shared a heartbreaking update about her dementia battle as she continues to fight with the condition.

The iconic Birds of a Feather star, 66, was sadly diagnosed with the illness back in 2021.

Her loved ones have now shared how they are unsure of the exact stage of the disease Pauline is at, admitting they are taking things one day at a time, although she is often 'still funny, talking and happy'.

Pauline's husband Steve Sheen - and their son Charlie - appeared on BBC Breakfast and shared how they were initially in 'disbelief' about her diagnosis.

Steve reflected on the moment they realised Pauline was struggling, which was back in November 2020.

It was during a time where she found it difficult to read a script. 

He shared: 'She started reading it and she phoned me on that day and said, the words are not going in. That's where it started.'

Steve also spoke about the moment they received the news from doctors.

'We looked at each other and went, "Can't be, it's long Covid. Got the flu",' he recalled.

Meanwhile Charlie explained how the family don't know what stage she is at in her diagnosis.

He said: 'That's the problem, no one tells you. My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees all of us, she smiles, laughs, says "I love you", says "hello".'

Steve then added: 'Unfortunately, we are not in the state where we can do much about it. Just take every day and try and take the best moment out of that day you can.

'It's so gradual that for the first year, two years, you're thinking, "Ah, she's alright".

'Now, we're three or four years in, it's a little bit different. This is why awareness is important. We didn't know how long it lasts or how long you have with it, or how bad it is or how quick it is.'

Charlie concluded that her illness 'progresses and changes every day' and they are 'forever learning'.

It comes after earlier this year, Pauline announced she was stepping away from acting after battling the condition for three years.

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 diagnosis of Dementia in 2021.

'Pauline has been an inspiration through her work in the film and TV industry, her charity endeavours and as the founder of the very 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 many young peoples' progression and interest in the Arts and enhanced their self-confidence.'

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.

He added: 'Pauline is perhaps best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous from Birds of a Feather, the hilarious sitcom that ran for nearly 30 years.

'In drama, her BAFTA-nominated role in The Sculptress, was outstanding, as was her role as the mysterious Susan Wright in ITV's Broadchurch.

'Demonstrating her acting versatility, 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 in the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer in the British Soap Awards and has received multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Comedy Performer in the National Television Awards.

'In 2022, Pauline was awarded an MBE in the late 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 charitable causes.

'Her acting career has now come to a close, but Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA), with its network of approximately 250 academies and over 15,000 students across the UK, remains robust and will continue to operate as normal in accordance with Pauline's ideology.'

Pauline married her husband Steve in 1996, and they share son Charlie, 30, who has followed in his mother's acting footsteps, and even starred on Birds Of A Feather's revival in 2019.

The star also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship.

Breakfast airs everyday from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.