Pauline Quirke’s husband Steve Sheen announced her dementia diagnosis back in January, and confirmed she’ll be stepping back from all professional and commercial duties
Birds of a Feather actress Lesley Joseph has issued an update about her co-star Pauline Quirke’s health. Back in January, the latter’s husband Steve Sheen announced that the Sharon Theodopolopodous star had dementia and was no longer able to act.
As part of his statement, 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).
Steve went on to say his wife’s drama academy had “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”.
Quizzed on how Pauline is doing recently, Lesley didn’t go into details but said she is “okay” when asked by Woman Magazine.
At the same event, the actress said she had plans to see her former co-star at her home.
The pair, alongside Linda Robson, are best known for their roles in the sitcom Birds of a Feather.
While the trio won’t be reuniting on-screen due to Pauline’s health, Lesley addressed reports of her and Linda continuing as a duo for a comedy show.
“This hasn’t happened yet, but that’s still with a question mark,” she said coyly. “We’ll know more next year.”
Lesley’s update comes after Linda revealed that their co-star now no longer knows who anybody is.
She told The Sun: “It’s very sad. We’ve been best friends since we were ten. I’ve known [about the diagnosis] for three years and we’ve managed to keep it quiet.
“She doesn’t know who anybody is. She doesn’t know who I am or who her kids are.
“Dementia is terrible – I’d rather get cancer, because at least then you’ve got a chance.”
Speaking on the Loose Women podcast back in May, the panellist said Pauline was “doing really well” though “sometimes has down days”.
The actress went on to say she had a particularly emotional moment at the time after learning that her co-star had asked for her.
“They said they got really excited when she said, ‘Where’s my mate Linda Robson?’ I got quite emotional when he told me,” she shared.
Linda has also revealed that she initially raised concerns about Pauline when she stopped returning her calls.
“Eventually, Steve phoned me back. Lesley [Joseph] 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.
