Pauline Quirke has retired from the spotlight after being diagnosed with dementia in 2021. The Birds of a Feather icon’s husband Steve Sheen made the sad announcement to fans yesterday she’s to retire from “all professional and commercial duties” from now on.
The Sharon Theodopolopodous actress, 65, starred in the comedy alongside Linda Robson throughout the 90s and again in its revival from 2014 to 2017.
Previously former co-star Robson, who played on-screen sister Tracey Stubbs, opened up on Pauline’s disappearance rom the public eye over the past few years.
Speaking on Loose Women six years ago, Linda revealed: “Pauline doesn’t like doing celebrity stuff, she doesn’t like live television. She’s been on here once or twice and will only come on if I’m on it. “We’ve never had a feud. We’ve been best mates and we’re still best mates.”
It emerged on Loose Women on Tuesday that Linda had been aware of Pauline’s condition for “some time”. Linda is currently on a cruise of the Caribbean and was seemingly unaware of the public announcement by Pauline’s husband.
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On Monday, Linda posted a cheerful photo on Instagram captioned: “Having the time of our lives! ” Her absence was noted on Tuesday’s Loose Women show, where Ruth Langsford mentioned Linda’s close friendship with Pauline and her prior knowledge of the illness.
She said: “Linda Robson, obviously great friends with Pauline, is actually away at the moment, otherwise she would have joined us today to talk about her friend. And obviously she has known for some time.”
Linda and Pauline have been lifelong friends since childhood, but have faced numerous rumours of a feud over the years. Pauline’s absence from the 2020 Birds of a Feather special led fans to believe that their 50-year friendship had come to an end after her parts in the theme song were removed, as were images of their characters.
There were claims that Linda and Pauline had become estranged, but in 2022, Linda addressed the rumours, telling The Mirror: “People say Pauline and I have fallen out. Obviously I couldn’t see her during lockdown but I’ve seen her since. She just doesn’t want to act anymore. She’s had enough – it’s long hours. She’s concentrating on her drama academies. She’s very hands on, going to classes and all that.”
Pauline, also known for her roles 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, originally on BBC One.
In a statement released on Monday, Pauline’s husband Steve said she would be stepping back from work including her successful Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA).
He 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. 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.
“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.”
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