Pauline Quirke beams in last public appearance two years after dementia diagnosis

Pauline Quirke's husband has sadly announced that the Birds of a Feather actress has sadly been diagnosed with dementia and she would be stepping back from all work

Pauline Quirke made a public appearance – despite battling dementia.

Steve Sheen, the actresses husband announced on Tuesday that the actress, 65, had been diagnosed with the condition in 2021 and has made the decision to step back from all work. Although she's appeared in the likes of Emmerdale, Broadchurch and The Sculptress, she's best known for playing Sharon Theodopolopodous in the ITV sitcom, Birds of a Feather.

The programme ran between October 1989 until December 1998. It was later decommissioned by ITV bosses, airing from January 2 2014, to December 24, 2020. Despite her battle with the cruel condition, Pauline made a rare appearance in 2023 as she attended a special ceremony at Windsor Castle on February 1.

Hackney-born Pauline was awarded an MBE in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to young people, the entertainment industry and charity. Away from her career on stage, in 2017, she launched The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts across the country, setting up the extracurricular centre for young people who want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

Since its launched, Pauline has opened over 200 branches across the UK. The actress was awarded the special honour by Prince William at the ceremony as she beamed at the heir to the throne when he placed the medal on her chest. Despite her inner turmoil, Pauline was all smiles for the occasion as she posed for a snap inside the quadrangle of the Castle, while holding her honour.

On January 21, 2025, her husband announced that the actress would be stepping down from all public roles due to her condition. In a moving statement, Steve, who also worked on Birds of a Feather 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). Her talent, dedication, and vision have touched countless lives and will continue to do so through the legacy of her work and through PQA where her vision and guidance has facilitated many young peoples' progression and interest in the Arts and enhanced their self-confidence. Pauline is perhaps best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous from Birds of a Feather, the hilarious sitcom that ran for nearly 30 years.

"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."

He went on to add: "During her epic 50 year career, Pauline has been nominated for many awards, including Best TV Comedy Actress in the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer in the British Soap Awards and has received multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Comedy Performer in the National Television Awards.

"In 2022, Pauline was awarded an MBE in the late Queen's final Birthday Honours. It was a heartfelt recognition of her incredible work with young people, her contributions to entertainment, and her dedication to charitable causes.

"Her acting career has now come to a close, but Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA), with its network of approximately 250 academies and over 15,000 students across the UK, remains robust and will continue to operate as normal in accordance with Pauline's ideology. Our experienced senior leadership team will maintain the Academies' success and growth, building on the foundations, ethos and philosophy that Pauline has inspired from the beginning in 2007.

"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."

Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Research UK, 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.

"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."

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

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