Pauline Quirke beams in last public appearance two years after dementia diagnosis
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Pauline Quirke made a public appearance – despite battling dementia. Steve Sheen, the actresses husband announced on Tuesday that the actress, 65, had been diagnosed with the condition in 2021 and has made the decision to step back from all work. Although she's appeared in the likes of Emmerdale, Broadchurch and The Sculptress, she's best known for playing Sharon Theodopolopodous in the ITV sitcom, Birds of a Feather.
The programme ran between October 1989 until December 1998. It was later decommissioned by ITV bosses, airing from January 2 2014, to December 24, 2020. Despite her battle with the cruel condition, Pauline made a rare appearance in 2023 as she attended a special ceremony at Windsor Castle on February 1.
Hackney-born Pauline was awarded an MBE in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to young people, the entertainment industry and charity. Away from her career on stage, in 2017, she launched The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts across the country, setting up the extracurricular centre for young people who want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
Since its launched, Pauline has opened over 200 branches across the UK. The actress was awarded the special honour by Prince William at the ceremony as she beamed at the heir to the throne when he placed the medal on her chest. Despite her inner turmoil, Pauline was all smiles for the occasion as she posed for a snap inside the quadrangle of the Castle, while holding her honour.
On January 21, 2025, her husband announced that the actress would be stepping down from all public roles due to her condition. In a moving statement, Steve, who also worked on Birds of a Feather 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.
