Linda Robson has shared an emotional update about her friend and former Birds Of A Feather co-star during the actress’ ongoing battle with dementia.
The Loose Women panellist took to BBC Breakfast to open up on the condition of pal Pauline, 66, alongside Pauline’s son Charlie, who is about to embark on a 140km trek to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK in light of her diagnosis.
Pauline and Linda, 67, first struck up a close friendship aged ten when they started attending the same theatre school, and later went on to work together on screen.
The duo first appeared on Pauline’s Quirkes in the 1970s, before going on to star side by side in Shine On Harvey Moon, Jobs For The Girls and Birds Of A Feather.
Pauline stepped away from the limelight after she was diagnosed with life-altering dementia in 2021.
And through her, Linda has been committed to keeping up with their lifelong friendship, revealing on BBC Breakfast that the duo are still meeting up despite Pauline’s condition.
Linda Robson has shared an emotional update about her friend and former Birds of a Feather co-star during the actress’ ongoing battle with dementia
Pauline and Linda, 67, first struck up a close friendship aged ten when they started attending the same theatre school, and later went on to work together on screen
In an emotional update, Linda revealed that the last time she saw her long-term friend, she was ‘happy’ and ‘laughing’, and praised her family for ‘looking after her really well’.
Recalling the last time they met up, the actress revealed: ‘We met up about three or four weeks ago at a restaurant.
‘It was so lovely. She was just giggling, and just really enjoying it, she ate everything as well. I left there happy because she was happy, and I knew they were looking after her really well.’
Meanwhile, Pauline’s son Charlie opened up on his journey around the UK which will see him retrace his mum’s steps to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, a charity who supports scientists in finding a cure for dementia.
The 140km walk, which stars today, December 8, and ends on Friday, will see him visit places from Pauline’s past before finishing at the family home.
Linda added: ‘I’ve known him since he was in the womb, really, he’s a good boy.
‘There’s so many people now that get dementia now, my mum for instance had it really, really bad and it’s the worst thing ever I think.’
Charlie added: ‘We’ve got to raise awareness for it, and this trek is about my mum’s career and her life, and it’s just nice to be here with Linda, and get the ball rolling with the trek.’
The duo first appeared on Pauline’s Quirkes in the 1970s, before going on to star side by side in Shine On Harvey Moon, Jobs For The Girls and Birds Of A Feather
Son Charlie (right) previously made an appearance on the show to speak about his beloved mum during her dementia battle
It comes after Charlie shared a heartbreaking update about her dementia battle as she continues to fight with the condition.
Her loved ones shared how they are unsure of the exact stage of the disease Pauline is at, admitting they are taking things one day at a time, although she is often ‘still funny, talking and happy’.
Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen – and their son Charlie – appeared on BBC Breakfast and shared how they were initially in ‘disbelief’ about her diagnosis in November.
Steve reflected on the moment they realised Pauline was struggling. It was during a time where she found it difficult to read a script.
He shared: ‘She started reading it and she phoned me on that day and said, the words are not going in. That’s where it started.’
Steve also spoke about the moment they received the news from doctors.
‘We looked at each other and went, “Can’t be, it’s long Covid. Got the flu,”‘ he recalled.
Meanwhile Charlie explained how the family don’t know what stage she is at in her diagnosis.
Pauline Quirke’s family have shared a heartbreaking update about her dementia battle as she continues to fight with the condition
Pauline with her husband Steve Sheen and son Charlie Sheen pictured in November 2010
He said: ‘That’s the problem, no one tells you. My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees all of us, she smiles, laughs, says “I love you”, says “hello.”‘
Steve then added: ‘Unfortunately, we are not in the state where we can do much about it. Just take every day and try and take the best moment out of that day you can.
‘It’s so gradual that for the first year, two years, you’re thinking, “Ah, she’s alright”.
‘Now, we’re three or four years in, it’s a little bit different. This is why awareness is important. We didn’t know how long it lasts or how long you have with it, or how bad it is or how quick it is.’
Charlie concluded that her illness ‘progresses and changes every day’ and they are ‘forever learning’.
Earlier this year, Pauline announced she was stepping away from acting after battling the condition for three years.
In a statement revealing Pauline’s diagnosis for the first time, Steve 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.
‘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).
The iconic Birds Of A Feather star, 66, was sadly diagnosed with the illness back in 2021 (pictured with her co-stars Lesley Joseph as Dorien and Linda Robson as Tracey)
Meanwhile Charlie explained how the family don’t know what stage she is at in her diagnosis
‘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.’
As well as her role in the comedy Birds Of A Feather, Pauline also had roles in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and a BAFTA-nominated performance in The Sculptress.
He added: ‘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.’
