Pantomime holds a special place in Linda Robson’s heart, especially after years performing alongside her best friend and Birds of a Feather co-star, Pauline Quirke. However, this year Linda is taking to the stage on her own, as Pauline has retired from acting due to her battle with dementia.
The two became inseparable at just 10 years old and went on to enjoy a glittering career together, most notably playing sisters Sharon and Tracey in the hit sitcom Birds of a Feather, alongside Lesley Joseph as their cheeky neighbour Dorien. Despite Pauline stepping back from the spotlight, Linda, 67, remains committed to nurturing their lifelong friendship.
“I love her so much,” Linda Robson says. “We’ve been best friends for 57 years. We met when we were both 10 at primary school, and we’re still inseparable today.”
Linda was devastated when Pauline Quirke was diagnosed with dementia at 61 in 2021. Despite the challenges, the pair have maintained their close bond, recently enjoying a lunch together with family and friends.
“We’re all still in touch, and it’s been really lovely,” Linda shares. “About a week and a half ago, I went to see Pauline. Her son Charlie picked me up at the station, and we went to the house. Her daughter Emily, her granddaughters, and her husband Steve were all there. It was really nice. We went to a little local pub, and they gave us a private room just for us, so we could have a proper lunch together.”
Even with dementia, Pauline still recognises Linda and hasn’t lost her sense of humour. They shared jokes and reminisced about their adventures in Birds of a Feather and panto. “She was giggling and happy. She’s being really well looked after, and she recognised me, which I was so pleased about. She’s doing well.”
Pauline’s son Charlie, who appeared in the Birds of a Feather reboot as Tracey’s son Travis Stubbs, is actively involved in his mother’s care. This month, he will undertake a five-day trek to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK in her honour. Linda hopes to join him for part of the journey. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to go on the march,” she says. “Hopefully I’ll see Pauline again before Christmas.”
This festive season, Linda is playing Councillor Chigwell in Aladdin at the Orchard West theatre in Dartford. She’ll do two shows a day — with just Christmas Day off. But that’s not as punishing as the schedule she used to keep with Pauline.
“The first one that me and Pauline did at the Hackney Empire, we did three shows a day,” says Linda. “That was a killer. We’d leave home at eight o’clock in the morning, we’d have a 10 o’clock show, a two o’clock show, and a seven o’clock show. And it was exhausting. Pauline went to me, ‘I’m never doing panto again.’ But she did.”
It’s a gruelling schedule, but Linda’s keeping it relaxed by wearing her customised Skechers shoes to keep her feet comfy and having lots of banter in her back pocket in case she forgets her lines.
“I’m just going to enjoy it,” says Linda. “If I forget my lines, I’ll just say, ‘I haven’t got a clue what I was supposed to say here!’ The audience love it then!”
Linda is 67 now but she’s not feeling the desire to retire any time soon. “I don’t want to retire unless they get fed up with me and don’t ask me to do any more,” she says. “But hopefully I don’t retire. I’d like to work forever.”
The star made her Loose Women debut in 2003 and has been a regular on the panel since 2012. Now, with cuts looming for ITV’s daytime schedule, Linda fears for her future on the show. Bosses have already made changes to the programme, reducing it to just 30 episodes in 2026 and canning the live audience. “It’s hopefully back in January, if we’ve still got jobs,” says Linda. “We have to wait and find out. My first job was in a fish and chip shop so I might have to go back to the fish and chip shop!”
She’s currently glued to I ’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! , which she started watching to support her old pal, actor and Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp.