Category Entertainment News

Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia, her husband Steve Sheen has today announced.

The 65-year-old actress, who played Sharon Theodopolopodous in the original series of the sitcom and its revival between 2014 and 2017, is set to “step away from all commercial and professional duties” to spend time with her family.

Pauline, who has also been 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. She, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph all reprised their roles when the sitcom returned – this time to ITV – in 2014.

But now Pauline will take a break from acting across TV, film and stage. Steve said in the statement: “‘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. “

TV producer Steve, who married Pauline in 1996, also praised his partner’s versatility in his poignant statement, noting she had played comedic characters, loyal heroes and powerful matriarchs over the decades.

The statement, as seen by Mail Online, added: “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. “

Pauline, born in Hackney, east London, and Steve share son Charlie, 30, who has followed in his mother’s acting footsteps, and even starred on Birds Of A Feather’s revival in 2019. The star also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship.  

Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said in a statement on Tuesday: “We are saddened to hear of Pauline’s diagnosis and send our best wishes to her, Steve and the wider family.

“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.

“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. “

Islander Scott Thomas’ brother Ryan Thomas shared his thoughts on a potential romance with Tina Stinnes

Scott, 36, is among the islanders on the Love Island spin-off at the moment and his family, including eldest brother Ryan, 40, have been watching the ITV2 show to support him. They have also been sharing reactions to events in the villa.

It has included them addressing the first dumping, which aired on Sunday night. It saw bombshell Tina, 29, choose to ‘steal’ Scott, who she first met in 2016, from India Reynolds, 34, who was then dumped from the villa in South Africa.

Dancing on Ice winner Ryan had said that Scott seemed “absolutely buzzing” to have recoupled with Tina, prior to the news that India would be leaving. He’s however since suggested Scott and Tina might not be the perfect match.

Posting a video on his Instagram Story during Monday night’s episode, Ryan said: “It is a weird concept this Love Island isn’t it? Like, if you’re not in a couple, you’re like an outcast. It’s got to be lonely. ” He then mentioned Luca Bish, 25, who was seen in tears after Tina chose Scott over him.

Ryan said: “Look at poor Luca. I mean, it took him to tears. The rejection. But if I’m honest, I feel like Luca and Tina are more suited because I know that Scott seeing Tina necking about on the first day would have been an off put. “

Tina and Luca had been seen kissing, in front of Scott and some of their other co-stars, in a scene on Sunday night’s episode prior to the dumping. Ryan suggested that his brother would be “delving deep” in the aftermath of that.

He told his followers: “So today, you can see him like working it out, what she’s like. Like, checking what her personality’s … just y’know delving deep like he does in his like motivational books. ” He laughed as he said: “Like his therapy sessions. “

The former Coronation Street cast member went on to tease in the video: “But he didn’t have a little kiss at bedtime when the lights went off, did he? Eh? No smoochie, smoochie. Sleep mask on, bedtime, ‘eh? I called it. I called it. “

Scott had been coupled-up with India since they both entered the villa during the launch of All Stars’ second series, which aired last week. They remained together through the first recoupling but were parted by Tina days later.

Love Island continues on Tuesday night from 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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Scott Mills says he is “not worried” about the perception that there are fewer women on BBC Radio 2 as he takes over the breakfast show from Zoe Ball.

Zoe signed off from her last show on December 20 after presenting the programme for six years, with Scott’s first day set for Monday January 27. When asked if he was concerned by the lack of main women presenters until the afternoon on Radio 2, Scott told the Radio Times that “we have two women on my breakfast show in the morning”, naming newsreader Tina Daheley, and traffic and travel reporter Ellie Brennan.

“Also, half of the breakfast-show team – who sometimes you’ll hear on air and sometimes not – are also women,” he added. “So no, I’m not worried about that in the slightest. ”

The current Radio 2 line-up has Scott, Vernon Kay, and Jeremy Vine, and different presenters sitting in for the early-afternoon show until 4pm, when Sara Cox and later Jo Whiley take over. From next week, Trevor Nelson is picking up Scott’s previous weekday 2pm to 4pm slot.

The new schedule, announced in November, also sees Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s show on Friday nights extended to two hours, while Nelson’s former late-night Monday to Thursday slot will be filled by DJ Spoony’s The Good Groove show. Scott also says that he was “pretty much offered” the Radio 1 breakfast show after Chris Moyles left, but before Nick Grimshaw took over in 2012.

“Then they decided against it … as they do, to go in a different direction,” he added. “They would have probably put Nick Grimshaw on eventually anyway, so what would my tenure have been on the Radio 1 breakfast show? A year? Two years? ,” he continued.

He also said that he was not “finding it daunting at all” to take over one of the biggest shows on the radio. “I’m ready for the challenge,” he said. Zoe became the first woman to present the breakfast show when she took over from Chris Evans in January 2019.

She announced her decision to leave in November, saying it was time for her to “step away from the very early mornings and focus on family”. Her last breakfast show featured messages from singer Kylie Minogue, England footballer Alessia Russo and Doctor Who star David Tennant.

She was the BBC’s highest-paid on-air female presenter in 2023/24, with a salary between £950,000 and £954,999, ranking her second on the list of top-earning talent behind Gary Lineker, according to the corporation’s annual report published in July. Scott had a 2023/24 salary of £315,000 to £319,999, up from £300,000 to £304,999 during the previous period.

According to the audience research body Rajar, Zoe’s Radio 2 show had the biggest audience of listeners for any breakfast programme in the UK. An average of 6. 28 million people tuned in to her show each week between July and September last year, more than Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden’s Heart Radio show, Today on Radio 4, and Greg James on Radio 1.

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Fans have expressed concern over what the future has in store for Gabby Allen on Love Island spin-off All Stars.

It comes after the ITV2 show reintroduced viewers to both Grace Jackson and Ron Hall on Monday night’s episode. The two new bombshells were quick to interact with the other islanders following their arrival into the villa.

Casey O’Gorman, who’s coupled-up with Gabby, was seen getting to know Grace at one point. It prompted Gabby to share that she was “concerned” over the competition for his affections. She told Kaz Crossley: “I feel confident that he still wants me but, I just feel like, if it’s not his decision and it’s her decision there could be a risk. There could be a problem. “

After speaking to Grace, Casey said in a confessional that whilst he would give Grace “a chance,” it doesn’t change his relationship with Gabby. He said: “I’m definitely gonna give Grace a chance and see where it goes, but that doesn’t change where I’m at with Gabby at all. “

Gabby herself enjoyed a chat with bombshell Ron but suggested she hoped Casey was “jealous. ” She said: “It’s always nice for your partner to have a little bit of jealousy. So I hope Casey was y’know looking around a bit for me. “

Later in the day, Gabby spoke to Casey about Grace’s arrival. She said: “Grace walks in and obviously I’m like ‘[screams] she’s so hot’. ” Casey responded: “Like, she’s fit, like. ” Gabby said: “I hate the way you say that to me. Why can’t you just say she’s good looking? ” Casey said: “She’s a good looking girl. “

Shortly afterwards, Olivia Hawkins told Gabby that she had heard from Marcel Somerville that Casey seemed “gassed” by his conversation with Grace. Warned against shutting herself off from Ron, Gabby told Olivia: “No, I’m not! [… ] I’m not gonna hold back and basically not put myself out there. “

Fans however expressed concerned during the episode that Gabby will be left heartbroken and if Casey does couple up with Grace at a recoupling, or dumping, then it could leave her vulnerable, as she appeared to fear herself. That scenario played out on Sunday’s episode when Tina Stinnes decided to ‘steal’ Scott Thomas from India Reynolds, who then got dumped. Gabby could end up staying with Casey though or recoupling herself with someone like Ron.

Some fans responded to scene in which Casey called Grace “fit” on Instagram by warning Gabby not to get comfortable him. One person wrote: “Gabby the man is giving you signs click on nowwww. ” Another said: “Gabby just read between the lines babe. Casey ain’t the one. Move on before he makes you cry. ” A third wrote: “Gabby go and chat more to Ron. ” Whilst someone else said: “Someone tell Gabby to take all her eggs out of one basket, Casey would drop her in an instance. “

There was similar concern on X, with one fan posting: “It’s looking like it will end in tears. ” Another said: “Oh Gabby, you about to get your heart broke. ” Someone else wrote beside a crying emoji: “The way Gabby is gonna get played by Casey will be historical. ” One fan said: “Please if you’re coupling up with Casey you know exactly how he is so Gabby be SHARP. “

Not everyone felt the same though. One person questioned: “Gabby must know that her time with Casey is going to be limited. ” Another said: “Casey gonna look bad meanwhile Gabby was literally laying it on Ron like crazy. ” Someone else wrote: “Are you serious Gabby? ! Casey was actually very chill and unflirty with Grace, he didn’t even seem that enthusiastic about her. But YOU were flirting hard with Ron immediately. “

Love Island continues Tuesday night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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David Beckham has shared his hope that his daughter will have the same opportunities in life as his sons during an impassioned speech at the World Economic Forum.

The 49-year-old sport star, worth a reported £330 million, is father to 13-year-old daughter Harper Seven as well as sons Brooklyn, 25, Romeo, 22, and Cruz, 19. And while his own children will never want for anything, he acknowledged that he owes his own success to the support of teachers, sport coaches and his family to help him get where he is today.

The former footballer was a guest speaker at the World Economic Forum for their annual meeting on Monday. Taking to the stage, David reflected on his 20-year anniversary as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and shared his dream of children getting more support.

He argued that the world has never been a more difficult place for children in need, and said that girls are held back by a string of conditions out of their control. The sport star urged world leaders to do more to support those in need.

He said: “I’ve always believed in the potential of children, and that when children are given time, opportunity and encouragement they will reach their full potential. Growing up, I benefited from that support from family, from coaches and from teachers. “

Shining a spotlight on girls, he said: “Girls are held back by poverty, girls are held back by violence, girls are held back by discrimination. ” And he later said: “(Girls) need opportunities. They need collective action and they need investment. “

On a personal note, David said: “I want my daughter Harper to have the same opportunities as her brothers and that should be the case for all girls everywhere. ” His comments come just over a year after reports suggested that David and his wife, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, are “lining up” Harper to be the face of a make-up brand.

And at the end of last year, fans of the couple were stunned to see Harper talking through her £195 make-up routine in an online tutorial. Brooklyn – who married billionaire heiress Nicola Peltz in 2022 – has struggled to find a successful career after growing up in the shadow of his famous parents.

Meanwhile Romeo is following in dad David’s footsteps by training as a football player, while Cruz is believed to be planning a music career – following after mum Victoria. While David’s words may help world leaders consider the predicament of vulnerable children around the world, the star himself drew scorn in 2017 when leaked emails claimed to show that he demanded charities stump up over thousands of pounds for his business class flights to attend events and he also demanded luxury hotel bookings for his charitable work.

UNICEF boldly defended David in the wake of the scandal – insisting that he contributed “significant” amounts of his own money to help the organisation. A spokesperson said at the time: “UNICEF has become aware of media reports relating to 7: the David Beckham Fund for UNICEF. Some reports relate to alleged private correspondence between our ambassador and other parties, which we have not seen and cannot comment upon. David Beckham has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2005, and as well as generously giving his time, energy and support to help raise awareness and funds for UNICEF’s work for children, David has given significant funds personally. “

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John Sykes has sadly died at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer.

The Thin Lizzy guitarist – who also performed with Whitesnake – has passed away at the age of 65 following a battle with cancer. His family revealed in a heartbreaking statement that he died after “a hard fought battle with cancer”.

A statement from the family reads: “It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer. He will be remembered by many as a man with exceptional musical talent but for those who didn’t know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.

“He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog. In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years. While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood sombre, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence. “

Tributes have flooded in from fans all over the world, who paid tribute to John’s art and talent.

“RIP John. I wish I could hear the music you’re making with Gary Moore up there now,” one wrote, as another added: “Oh no. I had no idea he was ill. He was awesome. Thank you for sharing your art and talent with us. “

A third shared: “Never knew he had cancer… He will always be one of the musicians whose music stayed with me. Blue Murder… life changing. RIP Sir… than you for all you gave…. ,” with a fourth adding: “John was an unbelievable player. His tone was so unique to himself. I always wish that blue murder had kept going. Amazing singer and guitarist. I remember seeing him live with Thin Lizzy. “

John rose to fame as part of British heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang. In the 1980s, he contributed to albums including the likes of Spellbound and Crazy Nights. He later moved on with Thin Lizzy, playing on their 1983 album Thunder and Lightning.

He also joined Whitesnake and contributed to two of their albums. He also participated in Thin Lizzy’s farewell tour, and was good friends with Phil Lynott until his death in 1986.

Elsewhere, John had a difficult personal relationship with lead singer David Coverdale. Speaking about their musical chemistry, David said: “John was and is an incredible talent. Our musical chemistry was great, but it didn’t work personally. The truth of the matter is no matter how incredible of an album that we made together, we were unable to connect as people. “

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