Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia, her husband Steve Sheen has revealed.

The Birds Of A Feather star, 65, is set to ‘step away from all commercial and professional duties,’ her spouse revealed in a statement, after she was first diagnosed with the disease in 2021. 

As well as her role in the comedy Birds Of A Feather, Pauline also had roles in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and a BAFTA-nominated performance in The Sculptress.

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.

‘Pauline is perhaps best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous from Birds of a Feather, the hilarious sitcom that ran for nearly 30 years. 

Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia, and will step away from her acting duties, her husband Steve Sheen has revealed

‘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.

‘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 (NTAs). 

‘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.’

Pauline’s last public appearance came back in February 2023 when she was awarded an MBE by Prince William, for services to young people, entertainment and charity.

The TV sitcom star is best known for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous on the hit comedy Birds of A Feather.

Pauline starred on the show alongside Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph from 1988 to 1999, and in a revival from 2014-2017.

In 2022 it had been reported that Pauline was locked in a feud with her former co-star Linda, but she later hit back at the claims.

In response to the speculation, Linda explained: ‘It’s a load of old s*** that we had a fallout. We have not fallen out and we have never fallen out. I have been best friends with her since we were ten years of age. We never fell out.’

Linda and Pauline recently reunited with their former Birds of a Feather co-star Lesley Joseph to discuss the possibility of a comeback.

Linda – who played Tracey Stubbs in the sitcom – told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ‘I was out for lunch with Pauline last Friday in London, The Delaunay, and it was discussed.’

The close friends – who played Tracey and Sharon Theodopolopodous – have been friends for more than 50 years and starred together in 12 series and two Christmas specials of Birds of a Feather.

However, Pauline was absent from the 2020 Birds of a Feather special – sparking the rumours of a fallout.