'Birds of a Feather' Star Reveals Dementia Diagnosis

Pauline Quirke, best known for starring in the TV sitcom Birds of a Feather, is quitting acting due to a dementia diagnosis, her husband has said.

Steve Sheen said: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce that my wife Pauline has decided to step down from all professional and business responsibilities due to her diagnosis of dementia in 2021.”

Her diagnosis was not made public at the time.

“Pauline was inspired through her work in the film and television industries, her philanthropy and as founder of the highly successful Pauline Quick Academy for the Performing Arts (PQA),” Mr Sheen added.

Mr Sheen praised his wife's “talent, dedication and vision”.

He said her drama school had “touched the lives of countless people and will continue to do so through the legacy of her work and the PQA, where her vision and guidance contributed to the progress and interest in the arts and enhanced the progress of many young people” self-confidence.”

Quick is best known as an actress for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the long-running sitcom Birds of a Feather, for which she won a British Comedy Award in 1990 for this role.

It aired on BBC One from 1989 to 1998 and then on ITV from 2014 to 2020.

The show follows the lives of sisters Tracy and Sharon, played by Linda Robson and Quick, who are left to fend for themselves after their husbands are arrested for armed robbery.

Quick and Robson met as children at drama school in north London.

The pair also worked together on the BBC comedy Harvey Moon, set in post-war London's East End, from 1982 to 1985.

In 1997 Quick was nominated for a Bafta for his portrayal of convicted murderer Oliver Martin in the BBC drama The Sculptor, adapted from the psychological thriller novel by Minette Walters.

She was also nominated for four National Television Awards, three for Birds of a Feather and one for the 2002 BBC series Down to Earth.

Quirke also starred in the BBC detective drama Maisie Raine from 1998 to 1999, appeared in ITV's Broadchurch and played Hazel Rhodes in Emmerdale from 2010 to 2012.

In 2022, Quirke was awarded an MBE for services to the entertainment industry, young people and charities.

Mr Sheen said PQA had around 250 colleges and more than 15,000 students across the UK and would “continue to operate normally in line with Pauline's ideology”.

The academy said it was “deeply moved by the information we received”. Writing on Instagram: “It’s great to see Pauline’s work at PQA and how many lives she has touched throughout her 50-year career in film and television.

“Improving young people’s lives through the performing arts has been PQA’s ethos since Pauline and Steve opened the first academy in 2007, and remains at the heart of everything we do.”

Mr Sheen asked for privacy and understanding from his wife and her family and said they would make no further statement.

“Pauline just wanted to spend time with her family, her children and her grandchildren,” he added.

The charity said Mr Quirke and Mr Sheen, who married in 1996, had “committed future support” to Alzheimer's Research UK to help raise research funds and awareness.

Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive of Alzheimer's Research UK, said they were “saddened” to hear of the actress' diagnosis.

She said: “Her family should be commended for taking the brave decision to go public with her diagnosis, which will not only give them more freedom but also raise important awareness of this condition. “

Dr Hilda Harjo, chief executive and chief nurse at Dementia UK, added: “Pauline’s choice to speak openly about her condition will raise awareness of young-onset dementia.

“We hope this encourages others who are worried about their brain health to seek support.”

Mr Sheen also praised Scott Mitchell, husband of late actress Dame Barbara Windsor, for his work with the charity after she was diagnosed with dementia.