Linda Robson revealed she was having the ‘time of her life’ on holiday just hours before it was revealed her Birds Of A Feather co-star Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia.

The actress, 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. 

Linda, 66, is currently on a Caribbean cruise near Granada and shared pH๏τos of herself alongside friends on the trip without knowing the annoucement was to be released.

The Loose Women star posted a snap of herself with a friend and wrote: ‘Having the time of our lives!’

In a statement revealing Pauline’s diagnosis for the first time, her husband 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). 

Linda Robson revealed she was having the ‘time of her life’ on holiday just hours before it was revealed her Birds Of A Feather co-star Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia

Pauline, 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

Pauline (right), best known for her role in the ITV sitcom Birds Of A Feather, was first diagnosed with the disease in 2021 (pictured with Linda and Lesley Joseph) 

‘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.

‘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.’ 

Her 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.

Rumours of a feud between Linda and Pauline were first sparked when Pauline was nowhere to be seen in the Birds Of A Feather special in 2020.

The pair starred on the original show, playing best friends Tracey and Sharon for 12 series but pictures of them together where removed for the 2020 special. 

Linda, 66, is currently on a Caribbean cruise near Granada and shared pH๏τos of herself alongside friends on the trip

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’

Linda later addressed the rumours and insisted she and Pauline were still friends.

Speaking to The Mirror in 2022, she said: ‘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.

‘I see Lesley [Joseph] all the time because we won Celebrity Coach Trip last year. And during the lockdowns I would leave funny things on her doorstep, like Tena Lady and hair dye! But when I was ill, both Pauline and Lesley rang me, or a member of my family, every couple of days to see how I was. They were both a big support and really there for me.’

She also told The Sun: ‘Take no notice of what you’ve heard about me and Pauline falling out. It’s a load of old codswallop. Pauline just chose not to do Birds Of A Feather. She wants to concentrate on her acting academy, that’s that.

‘We’ve known each other since we were 10. We’re friends. Will Pauline return to the show? I don’t know. I just know that the Christmas special went down really well. ITV were really, really pleased.’

Pauline married her husband Steve in 1996, and they share son Charlie, 30, while the actress also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship (pictured in 2010)

Her 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 pair starred on the ITV show for 12 series playing best friends Tracey and Sharon 

On Loose Women in 2023, Linda admitted she ‘used to be envious’ of the roles Pauline got after Birds Of A Feather.

She said: ‘So I’ve never really been jealous of Pauline Quirke but I used to be envious of all the roles she got like dramas and everything. 

‘I used to think, ‘Lovely, I’m really pleased for you but I would love to do some drama role as well’. But now I am doing drama roles, so I don’t have to be envious anymore do I! But no jealousy can be a terrible thing really. 

‘I was delighted she was so successful but I just wanted a little bit of it as well and I wished I had got that.’

Linda, Pauline and their co-star Lesley Joseph attempted to put rumours of a fall out to bed once and for all when they met up for lunch in 2022.

Linda wrote: ‘We had our pH๏τo taken together and I got my daughter Roberta to upload it to my Instagram. A lovely lunch with my beautiful friends.’ It was our way of saying, ‘There you go, that’ll shut you up!’