Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia and will be stepping back from her acting career, as confirmed by her husband. The 65-year-old actress is widely recognized for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the popular sitcom “Birds Of A Feather,” where she starred alongside Linda Robson, who portrayed her sister Tracey.
Steve Sheen, who has been married to Quirke since 1996, revealed that she received her diagnosis in 2021. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed the sadness surrounding her decision to withdraw from her professional and commercial responsibilities due to her condition. He added, “We are deeply grateful for the support of her peers, the public, and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA [Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts].”
The family has requested privacy and understanding during this challenging time, emphasizing that Pauline wishes to spend quality time with her family, including her children and grandchildren. Quirke and Sheen have two children together, and their son Charlie is also an actor.
In addition, Quirke’s family has committed to supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK and plans to collaborate with the charity to raise funds and awareness for dementia research. The statement highlighted the efforts of the family of the late EastEnders actress Dame Barbara Windsor, who passed away in 2020 after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease six years earlier.
Sheen expressed pride in the work of their family friend Scott Mitchell with Alzheimer’s Research UK in honor of his late wife, Dame Barbara Windsor, stating, “When we feel able, we will also align ourselves with the charity.”
Quirke, a prominent figure in British comedy, began her acting career as a child and had her own television show, “Pauline’s Quirkes,” as a teenager, often collaborating with Linda Robson. The duo reunited in 1989 for “Birds of a Feather,” where their portrayal of mismatched sisters, brought together after their husbands were imprisoned for armed robbery, made them household names. The show, featuring Lesley Joseph as the nosy neighbor Dorien Green, ran for nine years.
