Birds Of A Feather star Pauline Quirke, 65, diagnosed with dementia and ‘steps back’ from acting
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Birds Of A Feather star Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia. Her husband Steve Sheen revealed the 65-year-old actress had been diagnosed with the health condition in 2021 with ‘a heavy heart’. He added that she is ‘stepping back’ from acting in ‘commercial and professional’ roles.
![[Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/REX/Shutterstock (1277175cb) Pauline Quirke as Patsy Donovan 'Crown Court' TV Programme. - 1978 GREEN HOUSE GIRLS Stella Martin-James, the warden of a probation hostel, stands accused of stealing ?50 frome ach of two female inmates.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_139289085-6ad5-e1737441949958.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
He said in a statement, as per MailOnline: ‘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). 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.
![[Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by S Meddle/ITV/REX (4376854d) Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke and Lesley Joseph 'Mel and Sue' TV Programme, London, Britain. - 14 Jan 2015]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PRI_184093778-1e2e-e1737442037332.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘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.
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Piers Allardyce/Shutterstock (1267470r) Pauline Quirke (C) with husband Steve Sheen and son Charlie Sheen The Butterfly Ball, Lancaster Hotel, London - 20 Nov 2010]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_204000464-02b6-e1737442117262.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘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.
![[Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steve Meddle/Shutterstock (1680854v) Charlie Sheen and Pauline Quirke 'The Alan Titchmarsh Show' TV Programme, London, Britain - 21 Mar 2012]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_204000467-a7a0-e1737442169318.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
