Birds of a Feather actress Pauline Quirke diagnosed with dementia at 65

Pauline Quirke, best known for her role in Birds of a Feather, has been diagnosed with dementia, her husband Steve Sheen has confirmed. The 65-year-old actress, who portrayed Sharon Theodopolopodous in the original series and its revival from 2014 to 2017, will "step away from all commercial and professional duties" to spend time with her family.

Pauline, who also starred in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and The Sculptress, won the Best TV Comedy Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards in 1990 for her role in Birds of a Feather, which originally aired on BBC One. She, along with Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph, reprised their roles when the sitcom returned on ITV in 2014.

However, Pauline will now take a break from acting across TV, film and stage. In a statement, 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."

Steve, who married Pauline in 1996, also praised his wife's versatility in his heartfelt statement, noting her ability to play comedic characters, loyal heroes and powerful matriarchs over the years, reports the Mirror.

The statement, shared with Mail Online, praised Pauline Quirke's contributions: "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. 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."

Pauline Quirke's statement reads: "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.

"Our experienced senior leadership team will maintain the Academies' success and growth, building on the foundations, ethos and philosophy that Pauline has inspired from the beginning in 2007.

"We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period. For the time being we will not be engaging in interviews or making further statements, since Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren. We are deeply grateful for the support from her peers, the public, and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA."

Pauline and her husband, Steve Sheen, have two children together: Charlie (30), who has followed his mother's footsteps in acting and even appeared in the Birds of a Feather revival, and Emily (40), who is Pauline's daughter from a previous relationship. Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Research UK, expressed her sentiments following the announcement of Pauline's condition: "We are saddened to hear of Pauline's diagnosis and send our best wishes to her, Steve and the wider family."

She commended the family's courage in going public with the news, stating, "The family should be praised for making the brave decision to make her diagnosis public, which will not only provide more freedom for them, but also raise such vital awareness of the condition."

Evans-Newton also showed gratitude towards the family's commitment to aid research: "We're so grateful that Pauline and Steve have pledged to support our work when the time is right. We look forward to working with them to raise further awareness of dementia and funds for research."