Inside Pauline Quirke’s reclusive life on a canal boat with husband after quitting acting

Birds of a Feather star, Pauline Quirke, has sadly been diagnosed with dementia and is to step away from all 'commercial and professional duties' to spend time with her family

Despite being one of the country's most recognised actresses, Pauline Quirke has lived a reclusive life away from the spotlight.

The Birds of a Feather star, 65, who has sadly been diagnosed with dementia after a 50-year career, shot to fame playing feisty Sharon Theodopolopodous in the original series of the BBC sitcom and its revival between 2014 and 2017.

Pauline's co-star, Linda Robson, who played the actress' sister, Tracy, in Birds of a Feather, is still on our screens weekly as a Loose Women panellist. However, last year Linda claimed that Pauline quit fame after becoming a household name because she was crippled by stage fright and has even refused to appear on live television shows.

While Birds of a Feather was off-air, Pauline launched The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in 2017, setting up the extracurricular centre for young people, who want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

She has kept her private life out of the spotlight, but the Hackney-born star is reported to live on a canal boat with her husband Steven Sheen. The couple have one child together, Charlie, 30, who appeared in Birds of a Feather as tearaway, Travis. Pauline also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship and is a grandmother.

Sharing a photo of Pauline and Steven on their canal boat, smiling with the wind in their hair, the Alzheimer's Research UK sent their love to the couple following news of the actress' heartbreaking dementia diagnosis. Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of the charity, said in a statement on Tuesday: "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."

Pauline will now take a break from all "professional and commercial duties" as her husband, Steve, confirmed in a statement, announcing: "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."

TV producer Steve, who married Pauline in 1996, also praised his partner's illustrious career in his poignant statement, noting she had played comedic queens, haughty heroes and powerful matriarchs over the decades.

He continued: "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."

Adding that his wife now wants to spend time with her family, he concluded: "We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period. For the time being we will not be engaging in interviews or making further statements, since Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren. We are deeply grateful for the support from her peers, the public, and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA (Pauline Quirke Academy)."

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Dementia UK.

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