BAFTA nominated actor Pauline Quirke, best known for sitcom Birds Of A Feather, will step away from acting and public appearances due to a diagnosis of dementia, a statement has announced.
Television producer Steve Sheen, who has been married to Quirke since 1996, said in a statement: “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)” he continued. “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”.
Steve Sheen and Pauline Quirke (CREDIT: Steve Sheen)
A much loved actor during her career, Quirke has also received nominations for the British Comedy Awards, British Soap Awards, and National Television Awards. She was awarded an MBE in 2022 for services to young people, entertainment, and charity. She has two children: actor Charlie, 30, and daughter Emily, 40.
Birds Of A Feather, a comedy about two sister brought together when their husbands are imprisoned, originally ran from 1989 to 1998. Watched by millions, it was broadcast in over 30 countries. The show was revived for three more series and four Christmas specials from 2014 to 2020.
The statement concluded: “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”.
Quirke and Sheen have pledged future support to Alzheimer’s Research UK to aid research and awareness. Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of the charity, said: “We are saddened to hear of Pauline’s diagnosis and send our best wishes to her, Steve and the wider family. The family should be praised for making the brave decision to make her diagnosis public, which will not only provide more freedom for them, but also raise such vital awareness of the condition”.
“We’re so grateful that Pauline and Steve have pledged to support our work when the time is right. We look forward to working with them to raise further awareness of dementia and funds for research.”
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