Copyright walesonline
Actress Lesley Joseph has given an update on her Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke , four years after the latter was diagnosed with dementia . In January this year, it was announced that Pauline, 66, was retiring from acting following three years of living with dementia . Pauline appeared as Sharon Theodopolopodous alongside Lesley on Birds of a Feather between 1989 and 1998, going on to win a British Comedy Award for the role in 1990. Appearing at the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards, Lesley spoke about Pauline and how she was doing, adding that she intends 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.” Pauline’s dementia diagnosis and subsequent retirement was confirmed by her husband Steve Sheen. In a statement, he revealed how long she had been fighting the condition for in private, and praised Pauline for the impact of her work. 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 before her retirement, Pauline was awarded an MBE for services to the entertainment industry, young people, and charities. Furthermore, the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts has expanded to include 250 academies and supports more than 15,000 students across the UK. In a statement on their Instagram, the academy said: "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." Following his wife’s retirement, Pauline’s husband Steve said they would pledge future support for Alzheimer’s Research UK. In a statement on the matter, chief executive of the charity, Hilary Evans-Newton, said: “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.”
