Copyright dailyrecord
Actress Lesley Joseph has given an update on her Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke , who received a dementia diagnosis four years ago. Earlier this year, it emerged that 66-year-old Pauline was stepping away from acting after living with the condition for three years. Pauline portrayed Sharon Theodopolopodous alongside Lesley in Birds of a Feather from 1989 to 1998, securing a British Comedy Award for the role in 1990. Speaking at the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards, Lesley addressed Pauline's health and revealed plans to visit her soon. Lesley, 80, told Bella magazine: "Pauline is not too well after being diagnosed with dementia a while ago. She's not okay now. I haven't had time, but I'm going to go up and see her next week.", reports the Mirror . Pauline's husband Steve Sheen confirmed her dementia diagnosis and subsequent retirement. In a statement, he praised his wife's impact on the film and TV industry, her charity work, and her success as the founder of the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA). He 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)." Just a few years prior to stepping away from her acting career, Pauline received an MBE in recognition of her contributions to entertainment, youth initiatives, and charity work. Meanwhile, the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts has flourished remarkably, now operating 250 academies and supporting more than 15,000 students throughout the UK. The academy paid tribute to Pauline on Instagram , sharing: "It has been wonderful to see how many lives Pauline has touched through her work with PQA and in her 50-year career in film and television. "Improving the lives of young people through the performing arts has been PQA's ethos since Pauline and Steve opened their first academy in 2007, and remains central to everything that we do." After his wife's retirement announcement, Pauline's husband Steve confirmed their intention to back Alzheimer's Research UK in the future. Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive of the charity, responded to the news, commenting: "We are saddened to hear of Pauline's diagnosis and send our best wishes to her, Steve and the wider family. "The family should be praised for making the brave decision to make her diagnosis public, which will not only provide more freedom for them, but also raise such vital awareness of the condition. "We're so grateful that Pauline and Steve have pledged to support our work when the time is right. We look forward to working with them to raise further awareness of dementia and funds for research."
