Pauline Quirke diagnosed with dementia
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Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia and will be stepping away from acting, her husband has confirmed. The 65-year-old star was best known for her role in the hit sitcom Birds Of A Feather, playing Sharon Theodopolopodous opposite Linda Robson, who played her sister Tracey.
Steve Sheen, who has been married to Quirke since 1996, said she had been diagnosed with the condition in 2021. In a statement, he said it was "with a heavy heart" that she was stepping back from her professional and commercial duties because of her diagnosis.
He went on: "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]. "We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period. Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren.".
Quirke and her husband, who worked as an executive producer on Birds Of A Feather, have two children together. Their son Charlie is also an actor. Dear White People actor DeRon Horton reveals he was shot. Gladiators: Police investigate after Apollo 'harassed by stalker'.
Director Claire van Kampen dies on husband Mark Rylance's birthday. Quirke's family have pledged future support to Alzheimer's Research UK and say they will be working alongside the charity to raise funds for research and awareness of dementia. The statement also drew comparisons with the work done to raise awareness for the cause by the family of late EastEnders actress Dame Barbara Windsor, who died in 2020, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease six years previously.
