Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke were met with rumours of a falling out after the latter was missing from the Birds Of A Feather Christmas special back in 2020 – before Pauline’s dementia diagnosis.
The TV star, 65, is set to ‘step away from all commercial and professional duties,’ her spouse revealed in a statement on Tuesday, after she was first diagnosed with the disease in 2021.
Pauline starred on Birds Of A Feather alongside Linda and Lesley Joseph from 1988 to 1999, and in a revival from 2014-2017.
The duo have been friends for more than 50 years and starred together in 12 series and two Christmas specials of Birds of a Feather.
Speculation of their rift was first reported back in 2021 after it was revealed the pair were no longer on speaking terms.
While Linda has shut down rumours of any past feuds, The Mail on Sunday first revealed that a seemingly irreparable rift had developed between Pauline and Linda, whose bond once helped cement their reputation as among the UK’s most popular double acts.
Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke were met with rumours of a falling out after the latter was missing from the Birds Of A Feather Christmas special back in 2020
Pauline starred on Birds Of A Feather alongside Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph from 1988 to 1999, and in a revival from 2014-2017 (Pauline and Linda picutred in 2016)
Insiders said there had been ‘real and tense issues’ which resulted in Pauline refusing to take part in the 30th anniversary show, which aired in 2019.
At the same time, Linda grew closer to co-star Lesley, who plays man-eating neighbour Dorien Green, and the pair reportedly decided not to ask Pauline to take part in 2020’s Christmas special.
The fall-out seemingly marked an end to Pauline’s much-loved character of Sharon, whose absence was explained by the character heading off on a cruise.
It was alleged in 2021 that matters became so heated at one point that the childhood friends had to be separated by crew members during filming at Teddington Studios in West London.
However, Linda has since put any rumours of the pair not getting on to bed as she confirmed she would definitely be keen for a reunion.
Speaking to Marina Berry at the Lifestyle Awards in November, the presenter asked if the show might make a comeback.
Linda replied: ‘Well I think because it was our anniversary on the 16th of October it was 35 years ago to the day that we started and it has just sort of gone viral and everyone has gone mad saying “Bring back Birds Of A Feather”.
‘You never know, fingers crossed. We are all up for it if they want us. I would definitely, 100% be up for it.’
Reflecting on how they could never expected the show to explode like it did, Linda recalled: ‘All those years ago we got a 76 bus down to the studios and we were petrified.
Speculation of their rift was first reported back in 2021 after it was revealed the duo were no longer on speaking terms
The duo have been friends for more than 50 years and starred together in 12 series and two Christmas specials of Birds of a Feather
Insiders said there had been ‘real and tense issues’ which resulted in Pauline refusing to take part in the 30th anniversary show, which aired in 2019
Read More Pauline Quirke’s last public appearance saw her awarded an MBE – as she reveals dementia diagnosis 
‘We just thought we don’t know what it is going to be like. And then the walk on artist said “I think you’ve got a hit on your hands here girl.”
‘We used to get like 23, 24 million viewers, you don’t get viewers like that anymore, but they don’t make comedy like that anymore.’
Linda also previously confirmed it was Pauline’s ‘choice’ not to appear in the one-off episode in 2021 and that the cast had ‘to respect’ her decision.
The Loose Women panellist told the Express: ‘Obviously people miss Pauline, but we have to respect that it was her choice not to do it anymore.
‘She wants to concentrate on her academy. When they (the producers) asked us, we were like, “Yeah we would still like to do it. We’re not ready to finish.”
‘I think it worked really well as they did a good script, and we did the best we could with it.’
Meanwhile in May 2022 Linda again shut down any rumours of a rift with longtime pal Pauline.
She took to her Instagram account to share a nostalgic snap of her and Pauline as they enjoyed a reunion lunch with Lesley at The Delaunay restaurant in London’s Covent Garden.
Writing on her post as she cuddled up to her TV colleagues Linda penned: ‘A lovely lunch with my beautiful friends in the @thedelaunay.’
In May 2022 Linda shut down any rumours of a rift with longtime pal Pauline as her and Lesley enjoyed a lunch with her at The Delaunay in Covent Garden
In a statement, Pauline’s 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’
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 sitcom star, denied any rift with her co-star and said her friend was a ‘great support’ to her when she battled drink problems and an OCD ‘meltdown’ in 2018.
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, 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).
‘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.
‘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.
Pauline pictured above with her husband Steve Sheen
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)
‘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.
‘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 married her husband Steve in 1996, and they share son Charlie, 30, who has followed in his mother’s acting footsteps, and even starred on Birds Of A Feather’s revival in 2019.
The star also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship.
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.
