Linda Robson has opened up about her best friend and former Birds of a Feather co-star, Pauline Quirke, who has largely stayed out of the public eye since being diagnosed with dementia in 2021.
Speaking on Loose Women: The Podcast, Linda shared some encouraging news she received from Pauline’s son, Charlie. “Charlie called to tell me that she’s doing really well at the moment. Of course, she still has down days, but right now she’s in good spirits,” Linda explained.
What moved her most was when Pauline suddenly asked, “Where’s my mate Linda Robson?” Linda admitted, “I got quite emotional when he told me that.”
Earlier this year, Pauline’s husband, Steve Sheen, confirmed that she was stepping away from acting. Friends have shared that she had begun to struggle with recognizing even her own family members a heartbreaking challenge for someone just 65.
Birds of a Feather co-writer Maurice Gran previously described her dementia as “gathering pace,” explaining that while she initially knew she was “losing her grip,” she now finds it difficult to identify even those closest to her.
Despite the heartbreaking reality, Linda, 67, emphasized just how much Pauline still means to her. She described her as an amazing actress and as her best friend, fondly recalling the glory days when Birds of a Feather made them household names alongside Lesley Joseph.
She added that when the show first aired, they began receiving invitations to numerous events, were given VIP tickets to Stringfellows, and enjoyed experiences they could hardly believe.
The sitcom originally ran from 1989 to 1998 and later returned for festive specials, securing the trio’s place in British television history.