Pauline Quirke’s family blast ‘false’ AI-generated pictures of Birds of a Feather star
Pauline Quirke’s family have taken to Instagram to issue an urgent warning about false AI-generated images of the Birds of a Feather star
Pauline Quirke was diagnosed with dementia in 2021(Image: BANG Showbiz)
Pauline Quirke’s family have slammed AI-created images of the star. The Birds of a Feather actress, 66, withdrew from public life following her dementia diagnosis in 2021, and her family have now turned to Instagram to denounce fake photographs. Some show Pauline lying in bed alongside her husband Steve Sheen.
Accompanying the AI picture, they posted on the social media site: “Please be aware that images and posts currently circulating about Pauline Quirke are AI-generated.
“No one outside of Pauline’s family and close friends knows her current condition. Please do not believe or share articles, images, or updates from unofficial sources. These false posts cause unnecessary worry and spread a great deal of sadness.”
They continued: “Let’s respect Pauline and her family’s privacy and rely only on confirmed, official statements. Please share to help stop the spread of misinformation.”
The former Emmerdale actress’s dementia diagnosis became public knowledge last year, though her son Charlie Quirke disclosed in November that Pauline could still identify her relatives.
He revealed to BBC Breakfast: “My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees all of us, she smiles, laughs, says ‘I love you’, says ‘hello’.”
Quirke’s spouse Steve admitted they remain uncertain about precisely where the actress stands regarding the dementia – a condition that leads to deteriorating cognitive and memory abilities. He explained: “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.”
Steve and Charlie disclosed their initial “disbelief” at Pauline’s diagnosis. Steve remembered: “We looked at each other and went, ‘No, it can’t be. It’s long COVID, you’ve got the flu.'”.
Charlie continued: “Quite surprised that this was possible in a woman in her 60s, and it can happen to people in their 50s, people in their 40s. So it’s something that you have to deal with and learn about.”
Quirke was best known for playing Sharon Theodopolopodous in long-running sitcom Birds of a Feather. The 66-year-old was also nominated for a Bafta in 1997 for playing a convicted murderer in BBC drama The Sculptress.
In 2022, she was made an MBE for services to the entertainment industry, young people, and charities.
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