Linda Robson has opened up on her Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke’s heartbreaking dementia diagnosis. Last month, Pauline’s husband, Steve Sheen, shared the difficult news that she was diagnosed with dementia in 2021 through an emotional statement. Loose Women’s Linda Robson has now spoken exclusively to OK! at the TV Choice Awards about her friends devastating diagnosis. She revealed: “I knew about Pauline’s diagnosis for three years and it has been tough. I kept in touch with her husband Steve the whole time and she’s being really looked after.” Linda added, “We FaceTime a lot but she doesn’t say too much, we’re always in contact and I’m seeing her next week. It’s nice to see the support for her but it can be upsetting to talk about it.”
Linda and Pauline have known each other since they were 10 years old
(Image: mirror.co.uk)
Linda and Pauline have shared a long history, meeting at just ten years old while attending Islington’s Anna Scher Theatre School – known for nurturing talents like Natalie Cassidy and Kathy Burke. They also went to the same primary school in North London, with Pauline being a year younger than Linda. On a touching note during a 2016 session on Loose Women, Linda said they’d known each other ‘practically from the womb’ and explained that they “clicked” right from their first meeting. Fast forward to 1989, the pair gained fame in the widely cherished sitcom Birds of a Feather, portraying sisters Sharon Theodopolopodous and Tracey Stubbs who are reunited under the cloud of their husbands’ convictions for armed robbery, reports the Mirror.
Linda Robson attends the 2025 TV Choice Awards
(Image: PA)
Last month, Steve shared the sombre news of his wife Pauline’s decision to withdraw from her professional life following a dementia diagnosis in 2021. In a touching statement, Steve honoured Pauline’s illustrious career: “In drama, her BAFTA-nominated role in The Sculptress, was outstanding, as was her role as the mysterious Susan Wright in ITV’s Broadchurch.” He went on to recall her remarkable range, stating, “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.” Wrapping up his message, Steve asked for respect for their family’s privacy: “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).”
