Linda Robson

Birds Of A Feather has gone down as one of the most popular shows in sitcom history after running for 12 series over a span of 30 years.

The cast became instantly recognisable to fans at home and the show’s catchy theme tune is just as memorable as the show’s beloved stars.

The show centred around leading ladies Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke, two sisters who come together when their husbands are sent to jail.

The Cockney sisters – Tracey Stubbs and Sharon Theodopolopodous – are left to fend for themselves when their other halves are sentenced for armed robbery.

Sharon [Quirke] moves in with her sister Tracey [Linda] in her upmarket Chigwell home after leaving her Edmonton council flat.

The two women befriend their flirty neighbour Dorien Green [Lesley Joseph], who is unhappily married and continually having affairs with younger men.

Birds Of A Feather has gone down as one of the most popular shows in sitcom history after running for 12 series over 30 years (pictured Linda Robson, Lesley Joseph and Pauline Quirke)

The cast became instantly recognisable to fans at home and the show’s catchy theme tune is just as memorable as the show’s beloved stars

The programme originally ran from 1989 until 1998, before it was revived in 2014 for a further three series. The last episode was a Christmas special in 2020.

Pauline did not appear in the 2020 Christmas Special when the show came to an emotional end, citing that she was focusing on her drama school.

The actress’ husband has since confirmed that Pauline has been diagnosed with dementia and has retired from acting to spend time with her family.

Following the news of Pauline’s retirement, MailOnline takes a look at the colourful lives of the cast, including financial trouble, tragedy and their varied love lives.

Linda Robson

Linda has gone on to enjoy an illustrious career in television during her time away from the sitcom – but is still best known for her iconic role in the show.

Away from the hit BBC programme, the actress, 65, has regularly appeared on daytime panel show Loose Women where she discusses world issues from a female perspective alongside a panel of other recognisable female faces.

Linda returned as Tracey for the show’s 2014 three series revival where she rejoined her co-star Pauline to play the iconic sibling duo.

Linda has also had small screen parts in The Likely Lads, The Tomorrow People, Going Out, L For Lester and The Bill.

After Birds Of A Feather came to an end, Linda struggled with thousands of pounds of debt after getting used to the life the show afforded her.

The TV personality admitted she would lay awake at night worrying about her finances and told in a 2017 interview that she almost suffered a breakdown.

Linda has gone on to enjoy an illustrious career in television during her time away from the sitcom – but is still best known for her iconic role in the show

Away from the hit BBC programme, the actress (right), 65, has regularly appeared on daytime panel show Loose Women where she discusses world issues from a female perspective alongside a panel of other recognisable female faces

Telling how she would avoid letters from the bank, she said: ‘I ran up a lot of debts when Birds of a Feather had ended but I was used to having a good income and buying things.’

Linda’s now ex-husband Mark Dunford helped her to pay off some of the debts after she opened up to him about her money struggles.

The couple were married for 33 years but they announced their split in November 2023, saying: ‘We had some good years, but enough is enough.’

Linda is now publicly single and has managed to overcome her debts, previously revealing how her children control her finances.

She has previously spoken about how her son Louis self-harmed and battled depression after the murder of his best friend Ben Kinsella.

She recalled how she and Mark were ‘really worried’ about their then teenage son, after they found out that he was ‘marking his arm’ and refused to leave his bedroom.

Louis had held a dying Ben, just 16, in his arms after he was stabbed 11 times outside a north London bar in 2008.

Speaking on Loose Women, Linda revealed how Louis eventually went away on a retreat to receive treatment for his mental health, and now is coping well with the loss.

The Loose Women panel were discussing their own experiences with self-harm after the news that one in four 14-year-old teenage girls self-harms.

Linda revealed that a teenage Louis first struggled with self-harm after Ben – the brother of EastEnders actress Brooke Kinsella – was killed 10 years ago.

Alun Lewis

Alun played Tracey’s ill-fated husband Darryl, who appeared as a recurring character during the nineties run of series before later being replaced by Douglas McFerran.

Darryl’s repeated brushes with the law put strain on his marriage to Tracey, with the series beginning with him being sent to prison for armed robbery.

The character, which had been taken over by Douglas at the time, met a sticky end when he was killed off during a robbery which went wrong.

Alun is equally well known for his part in Emmerdale as Vic Reeves, but he took a step back from the spotlight after the two major roles.

Alun played Tracey’s ill-fated husband Darryl, who appeared as a recurring character during the nineties run of series before later being replaced by Douglas McFerran

Outside of acting, Alun was a member of rock trio, The Woolpackers, with his soap co-stars Steve Halliwell and Billy Hartman

Outside of acting, Alun was a member of rock trio, The Woolpackers, with his soap co-stars Steve Halliwell and Billy Hartman. 

Alun’s daughter Amelia Warner has followed in her father’s musical footsteps and pursued a career as a musician, under the stage name Slow Moving Millie.

Amelia married Colin Farrell in a non-legally binding ceremony in 2001 during a holiday to Tahiti.

After that, she met Fifty Shades actor Jamie Dornan, with whom she shares three children with.

Matt Willis

Matt played Linda’s on-screen son Gareth Stubbs in the 2014 revival of the show.

But the singer is best known as one third of the pop-punk band Busted, alongside his bandmates Charlie Simpson and James Bourne.

The band have been on and off over the years, first splitting in 2005 when Matt explored a solo career and released his debut album.

Busted announced in 2015 that they were returning with a 13-date tour and released their third studio album, Night Driver – followed by Night Driver in 2019.

Later that year the band announced a hiatus to focus on solo projects.  

His next return to music saw him reunite with one of his ex-Busted bandmates (James Bourne) and with McFly to form the group, McBusted.

Matt played Linda’s on-screen son Gareth Stubbs in the 2014 revival of the show

Alongside his wife, Emma Willis, Matt recently hosted the UK version of Netflix’s Love is Blind

He won I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! in 2006.

Alongside his wife, Emma Willis, Matt recently hosted the UK version of Netflix’s Love is Blind. 

The couple married in 2008 and the couple share three children called; Isabelle, 15, Ace, 12, and Trixie, eight.

Matt has spoken openly about his drug addiction battle, which saw him spend three weeks at London’s Priory Hospital in 2005 age 21. He was admitted again in 2003 to deal with his drug abuse issues. 

In June 2008, aged 25, Willis entered a rehab centre in after a marriage ultimatum from his wife Emma.

Pauline Quirke

Pauline had already enjoyed a taste of fame before taking on her most recognisable role in Birds Of A Feather.

The actress has also appeared in The Tomorrow People, Play For Today, The Story Of The Treasure Seekers and Angel.

More recently she has starred in series including ITV crime drama Broadchurch and British-American comedy-drama miniseries, You, Me And The Apocalypse. 

While Pauline appeared in the majority of the show’s episodes, she failed to appeared in the Christmas Special episode of the show in 2020.

Pauline did not appear and her lines in the popular тιтle song were removed, along with the pictures of Tracey and Sharon together.

Pauline (right) had already enjoyed a taste of fame before taking on her most recognisable role in Birds Of A Feather

Pauline was previously awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s final Birthday Honours in 2022

The decisions sparked speculation that the two main stars of the show had fallen out, which was later shut down by Linda.

After fans questioned what had come of their fifty year friendship, Linda addressed the rumours about their relationship in an interview.

She told The Mirror: ‘People say Pauline and I have fallen out. Obviously I couldn’t see her during lockdown but I’ve seen her since. 

‘She just doesn’t want to act anymore. She’s had enough – it’s long hours. She’s concentrating on her drama academies. She’s very hands on, going to classes and all that.’

Pauline has been living with dementia for four years after learning of her diagnosis aged 61.

Her husband Steve Sheen announced in a statement on Monday that the the Birds Of A Feather star, 65, is set to ‘step away from all commercial and professional duties’.

According to Steve, the award-winning actress succumbed to the degenerative disease in 2021.

In a statement revealing Pauline’s diagnosis for the first time, Steve 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.’

Peter Polycarpou 

Peter played Pauline’s husband Chris for five series before he was also replaced alongside Alun when they were released from prison.

After getting caught up in one of Darryl’s hairbrained schemes, Peter is sent back to prison despite being innocent after trying to start afresh.

Following his time on Birds Of A Feather, Peter appeared in several hit series including BBC show Hustle and thriller Cleanskin with Sean Bean. 

Since his time on the show, Peter has appeared in a number of hit series, including BBC’s Hustle and thriller Cleanskin alongside Sean Bean.

Peter played Pauline’s husband Chris for five series before he was also replaced alongside Alun when they were released from prison (pictured second right)

Following his time on Birds Of A Feather, Peter appeared in several hit series including BBC show Hustle and thriller Cleanskin with Sean Bean (pictured in 2019)

When it comes to the big screen, English-Cypriot Peter starred in Evita alongside Madonna, as well as Oklahoma! an De-Lovely.

Most of Peter’s acting career has taken place on the stage, including a 2019 appearance as Sancho in Man of La Mancha for English National Opera alongside Kelsey Grammar and Nicholas Lyndhurst.

Peter has also enjoyed a foray into politics when he became a green party politician and stood for local election in Muswell Hill.

Away from his career, Peter has played cricket for the world-famous Lord’s Taverners as a wicketkeeper.

Lesley Joseph

One of Lesley’s most memorable roles was as Dorien Green on the show.

The part, which came more than 20 years after her first TV role, involved her playing flirty neighbour Dorien who indulged in affairs with younger men.

Over her long-running career, Lesley has appeared in series which have included Minder, Ruth Rendall Mysteries, Night And Day and The Secret Of Eel Island.

Her stage roles have included UK productions Thoroughly Modern Millie, Calendar Girls, Annie and Young Frankenstein.

In 2016, Lesley was announced as one of the contestants on Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Anton du Beke.

One of Lesley’s most memorable roles was as Dorien Green on the show (pictured left)

Over her long-running career, Lesley has appeared in series which have included Minder, Ruth Rendall Mysteries, Night And Day and The Secret Of Eel Island

Read More Pauline Quirke, 65, has been living with dementia for FOUR years after learning of diagnosis aged 61 – as star is set to ‘step away’ from acting duties to ‘spend time with her family’

The dancing couple left the series in week five.

Lesley has largely kept her personal life out of the spotlight but has previously opened up about the loss of her mother. 

She told the Mirror in 2016: ‘Losing a mother when you are very young, that is incredibly difficult because they don’t grow old with you. But if you lose them when they are older, you’ve had them all your life.

‘I had a very close relationship with my mother. She was one of 12, and she was the last of them to die. I talk to her every day, in my head.

‘I don’t think you ever lose that – she had a thirst for life Hopefully, touch wood, I’ve got her genes.’

Nickolas Grace

Nickolas played Dorien’s husband Marcus, who she was repeatedly unfaithful to during their marriage, until series seven.

His character was written out of the show when in a turn of events he left Dorien to begin a new life with his mistress and their children. 

Before his appearance on the show, Nickolas had already appeared in the 1980s series Robin of Sherwood and Brideshead Revisited.

After the show, he went on to play a recurring role in My Family and Albert Einstein in Doctor Who episode Death is the Only Answer.

He also recorded for a number of Doctor Who audiobooks. 

Nickolas played Dorien’s husband Marcus, who she was repeatedly unfaithful to during their marriage, until series seven

After the show, he went on to play a recurring role in My Family and Albert Einstein in Doctor Who episode Death is the Only Answer