Linda Robson shares update on best friend and Birds Of A Feather co-star Pauline Quirke amid dementia battle

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Linda Robson recently discussed her many years of friendship with Pauline Quirke, who is living with dementia, as her former co-star from the show Birds of a Feather.

The two actresses became friends when they were ten years old at primary school, and they went on to collaborate on many stage and screen projects over the years. However, Pauline recently stopped acting after receiving a diagnosis in 2021.

Linda, 67, said their bond remains unchanged despite Pauline’s health challenges. 

After Pauline’s health worsened at age 64, she had to stop performing in pantomime and on television. This meant her sister, Linda, began acting on her own for the first time.

Linda recently went to see Pauline at her house. Pauline’s family, including her husband Steve and their children, are always there to help and support her.

She told The Mirror that her relatives greeted her warmly before they all went to a nearby pub for a private lunch.

‘I love her so much,’ she said, noting they had been inseparable for 57 years. 

She said the visit brought everyone closer and they’ve all remained good friends, which has been wonderful.

Despite her dementia, Pauline still recognised Linda during the reunion and was in good spirits. 

Linda said the pair shared jokes and reminisced about their years on Birds Of A Feather. 

She said her daughter seemed very happy and was being well cared for. She was relieved that her daughter recognized her, and overall, she was happy with how things were going.

Pauline’s son, Charlie – who played Tracey’s son, Travis Stubbs, alongside her in the recent revival of their sitcom – is now a key figure in helping to care for her.

This month, he’s getting ready for a 140km charity trek lasting five days to support Alzheimer’s Research UK. His wife, Linda, hopes to join him for a portion of the walk if she can fit it into her schedule.

Back in January it was revealed that Pauline had been living with dementia for four years.

Pauline’s family recently shared a sad update about her ongoing struggle with dementia.

Pauline’s family isn’t sure how far the illness has progressed, and they’re focusing on getting through each day as it comes. They say she remains cheerful, often joking, talking, and enjoying life.

Pauline, her husband Steve Sheen (whom she married in 1986), and their son Charlie recently appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about their shock after she received her diagnosis. They described feeling complete disbelief at first.

Steve remembered when they first noticed Pauline was having difficulties – it was back in November 2020.

She was having trouble focusing on the script at the time. He explained that she began reading it, then called him that same day, saying the words weren’t registering. That’s when they first noticed the problem.

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 explained the issue: nobody ever gives you the full picture. His mother, however, understands them completely. Whenever she sees the group, she’s warm and affectionate, always telling them she loves them and greeting them with a smile.

Steve continued, saying that there’s not much they can do about the situation right now. He advised focusing on making the most of each day and finding the good in it.

‘It’s so gradual that for the first year, two years, you’re thinking, “Ah, she’s alright”.

After living with this for three or four years, things are clearer now. That’s why understanding the condition is so important. When we first encountered it, we didn’t know what to expect – how long it would last, how severe it could be, or how quickly it would progress.

Charlie noted that her condition is constantly evolving, changing daily, and that she and those around her are continually learning about it.

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2025-11-30 03:36