Pauline Quirke diagnosed with dementia as she steps away from acting

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Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia and will step away from acting, her husband has confirmed.

The comedy legend, who shot to fame as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the sitcom alongside Linda Robson, also found fame in ITV soap Emmerdale in which she starred as Hazel Rhodes.

Now her husband Steve Sheen has announced: "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."

His statement added: "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 Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia (Image: Getty)

He went on to praise her various roles, before adding: "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.

Pauline's husband announced her diagnosis (Image: Getty)

"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's last acting role came in 2017, when she starred in the revival of Birds of a Feather, but she appeared as a Loose Women panellist until 2018.