Linda Robson pinpoints the moment she knew Pauline Quirke ‘wasn’t right’
Linda and Pauline have been friends for over five decades.
Linda Robson opened up about the moment she realised that something was different about Pauline Quirke.
The 65-year-old Birds of a Feather actress’ husband Steve Sheen recently revealed Pauline has been battling dementia, a condition that causes a decline in thinking, memory, and reasoning skills. Although she received the health diagnosis in 2021, it was kept private until January.
Her longtime friend Linda, 66, said a lunch date with Pauline and their fellow Birds of a Feather co-star Lesley Joseph, 79, highlighted the change in her.
‘Lesley and I went for lunch with her and that’s when we realised something wasn’t right with her, and that was three years ago,’ she told Bella magazine.
She also noted that Pauline wasn’t returning her messages and that’s when Steve called her. Linda said: ‘I managed to keep it a secret. It was very important that I did because it was up to her family when it was time for them to let everyone know.’
School friends Linda and Pauline are still in contact. ‘I’ve been FaceTiming. There’s not much conversation but it’s just nice to see her face really,’ Linda explained.
The trio met for lunch (Picture: S Meddle/ITV/REX) Alzheimer's and dementia: the factsThe most common forms of dementia (symptoms of a decline in brain function) are Alzheimer’s disease followed by vascular dementia.
Alzheimer’s is caused when plaques and tangles form in the brain making it increasingly hard for it to function properly. Early symptoms include forgetting recent events, struggling to remember words, becoming disorientated in familiar places and finding it difficult to concentrate.
Common early symptoms of vascular dementia include problems making decisions or following a series of steps, such as cooking a meal; slower speed of thought and trouble sleeping. The condition can also cause significant mood changes and depression and make people behave completely out of character.
Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer – and one in three babies born today will develop dementia in their lifetime. The risk of developing both Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia roughly doubles every five years from the age of 65. Women and men are affected equally. Diabetes, obesity, heart problems and high blood pressure all increase the risk.
However, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing the diseases by leading a healthy lifestyle – not smoking or drinking to excess, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise. Keeping mentally and socially active is also beneficial.
The third most common form of dementia – accounting for an estimated 20 per cent of cases – is Lewy body. With this condition, tiny clumps of protein appear in the brain’s nerve cells, causing a range of issues including mood swings, problems processing thoughts, hallucinations, difficulty balancing and walking slowly. Although DLB (dementia with Lewy body) can affect people under 65, it is much more common as we age, affecting men and women equally.
There is currently no cure for any of the forms of dementia. But getting an early diagnosis is very important in allowing you and your loved ones to access all the medical and social support available. If you are worried that you have any of the symptoms, your GP will be able to refer you to a specialist who can carry out a range of tests.
If you are worried that yours or someone else’s symptoms may be dementia, download the Alzheimer’s Society symptoms checklist, on for more information or support on anything you’ve read here, call our support line on 0333 150 3456 or visit our website.
‘She doesn’t know who anybody is. She doesn’t know who I am or who her kids are,’ Linda previously told The Sun.
‘Dementia is terrible – I’d rather get cancer because at least then you’ve got a chance.
‘She’s not the Pauline that I knew growing up. She’s got a good support around her, that’s the main thing.’
‘She’s not the Pauline that I knew growing up.’ (Picture: Fremantle) Pauline Quirke's best rolesPauline’s Quirkes (1976)
Early in her career, Pauline’s talent was recognised and she was given her own BBC sketch show. The episodes featured pop music, teenage topics, and comedy, and marked the first time we saw her regularly on-screen with Linda Robson.
Birds Of A Feather (1989-1998, 2014-2017)
Birds of a Feather originally ran on BBC from 1989 to 1998 and was then revived on ITV from 2014 to 2020. In the hit series, Pauline played Sharon Theodopolopodous, who is forced to move in with her sister Tracey Stubbs (Linda) when both their husbands go to jail for armed robbery. Pauline opted out of appearing in the 2020 finale to instead concentrate on other work.
The Sculptress (1996)
Her time as Olive in the BBC miniseries earned her a Bafta nomination for best actress. Based on the crime novel by Minette Walters, the story follows Olive, who is in prison for the brutal murder of her mother and sister. An author writing a book with Olive as her subject becomes convinced she didn’t do it. With the help of a former policeman, she sets out to prove her innocence.
Emmerdale (2010 – 2012)
In 2010, Pauline arrived in the Emmerdale village as Hazel Rhodes. She played a heartbroken mother battling to convince her son Jackson, who is a quadriplegic, to live.
Broadchurch (2013-2015)
ITV’s popular crime drama Broadchurch saw Pauline star alongside other British acting legends David Tennant, Jodie Whittaker and Olivia Coleman. She played shifty caravan owner Susan Wright and even brought her own pet dog Bailey to play Susan’s canine, Vince.
As well as Birds of a Feather, Pauline is known for appearing in shows such as Broadchurch and Emmerdale.
She’s enjoyed a successful career spanning several decades, which included fronting her own comedy sketch show, Pauline’s Quirkes, in the 1970s.
Pauline and Steve launched The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in 2007, which now has over 200 branches across the UK and the alumni includes rising star Lenny Rush.
In 2022, she received an MBE in the late Queen’s final Birthday Honours, recognising her work with young people and contribution to entertainment.
In a statement to MailOnline earlier this year, 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.’
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