Actress Pauline Quirke diagnosed with dementia
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Alzheimer's Research UK
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On 21 January 2025
This article was first published in January 2025. You might be interested in more recent news on this topic: Pauline Quirke’s son Charlie to run the London Marathon for Alzheimer’s Research UK
Pauline Quirke’s son Charlie is running the 2026 TCS London Marathon for Alzheimer’s Research UK. You can support him here.
The 65-year-old actress, best known for playing Sharon Theodopolopodous in the hit comedy sitcom Birds of a Feather, was diagnosed with the condition in 2021.
In a statement released today (Tuesday) Steve Sheen, who has been married to Pauline since 1996, said it was “with a heavy heart” that she was stepping back from her professional and commercial duties because of her diagnosis.
Steve added: “We are deeply grateful for the support of her peers, the public and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA [Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts].
“We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period. Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren.”
Pauline and Steve have pledged future support to Alzheimer’s Research UK and will be working alongside the charity to drive funds for research and awareness of dementia.
Steve said: “We are very proud of what our family friend Scott Mitchell is doing with Alzheimer’s Research UK in his late wife Dame Barbara Windsor’s name. So, when we feel able, we will also align ourselves with the charity.”
Pauline remains one of the most recognisable stars of British comedy, with Birds of a Feather attracting nearly 20 million viewers at its height. The show premiered on the BBC from 1989 until 1998 before being resurrected by ITV in 2014 where it continued for another six years.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Pauline has starred in more than 60 TV and film productions, including a BAFTA-nominated performance in The Sculptress. She has also had roles in Broadchurch, Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, Cold Blood, My Family and Emmerdale.
Pauline was awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s final Birthday Honours, in recognition of her work with young people, contributions to entertainment and dedication to charitable causes.
If nothing changes, one in two people will be directly affected by dementia – either by developing the condition themselves, caring for someone with it, or both. Alzheimer’s Research UK is striving for a cure for dementia by revolutionising the way the condition is treated, diagnosed and prevented.
Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, 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.
For more information about dementia, call Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Infoline on 0300 111 5111, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, or email infoline@alzheimersresearchuk.org. Alternatively, visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org.
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Alzheimer's Research UK
So very sad to hear this. My husband is also battling dementia and it’s heartbreaking watching someone you love succumb so rapidly from being the backbone of the family to a toddler size state. Thinking of pauline and her family 💚
I have a friend who is battling dementia. She now doesn’t know who I am, it’s so sad. She was always so vibrant involved with all sorts now she doesn’t recognise her husband of 20 years or her parents. I wish Pauline Quirke and family all the best.
Hi Sarah, thank you for your comment and your support. We are sorry to hear about your friend’s diagnosis of dementia.
We have a page on our website with a directory of UK-wide organisations offering support for people affected by dementia, which may be of use, here: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-information/need-to-know-more/support-for-carers/
So, so sad. Grew up watching Pauline Quirke in Birds of a Feather. My Grandmother faced her own Dementia battle and I walked a 13 mile walk last year for Alzheimer’s UK in her memory. Thank you Nan for all you did for Ruth and I. 🧡
Love you Pauline keep a hold on my thoughts daily
Life is just so so unfair
Love to you and your family
Stay strong and positive
Take it easy
Pauline quirke such a wonderful actress comedy and drama so sorry to hear about her diagnosis as long as you have your family around you you will know that you are loved sending my love to you all xxx
Really sad by this as grew up with birds of feathers love Pauline quirke 💔💔💔
Lovely lady inside and out..it soes not matter who you are race colour or creed this awfull decese can get to anyone .
Pauline needs this time with her family as much as her family needs the special time with her.
Love to you all.
Sorry too hear that but hope she get better soon love
I love Pauline, she is an amazing actress and I wish she wasn’t suffering like this. Arthur’s Dyke is one of my comfort films that I go back to over and over, and the Sculptress was amazing. My thoughts are with her, and her family.❤️
Pauline is an amazing actress and was so funny in birds of a feather. I am so sorry to hear this news, pauline and her family will be in my thoughts, stay strong all of you and take care of each other ❤️
It really sad and very upsetting for you all can’t think of anything worse and what you all must be going though my thoughts are with you all
My daughter has just died at the age if 48 having shown symptoms 20 years ago. At the end she had been bed bound in a care home. She seldom spoke but her last words to me was “bless you” when I sneezed. I treasure those words.
Having lost a dear friend this year to vascular Dementia at 93 , we did not pick up on the signs , we put it down to old age mostly till we found the person in the bushes all cut up , then we knew it was more . it was a quick progression taken us all by surprise , it seems more and more people are getting Dementia and its heartbreaking for those involved . It is hard on all of us a cruel DIsease indeed , but we must keep talking about it . My thoughts go to paulines family as it does so many out there .
Pauline, you have made so many people laugh when otherwise they might have had nothing in their lives to laugh about. I hope that you will remember some of those times and be able to laugh as much as we did back then. Thank you
so sorry to hear about Pauline’s dementia. a good actress who found fame in shine on harvey moon remember her glasses that she wore with the sticking plaster on them and also for her appearances in Emmerdale where she played Jackson’s mother. keep going Pauline keep strong
What an amazing lady you are. I renember vividly watching you in pantomime at Hackney Empire. You sang Im too sexy ….and bought the house down. My niece was very embarrassed by her mum and three aunties – you were brilliant and I am sure still are.
Stay strong you beautiful lady love respect and prayers Lucy xxxx
A lovely actress and lady who brought a lot of laughter to a lot of people loved the series so sorry to hear that you have this awful illness hope they find a cure in years to come for people.
Thank you for your kind words Ann!
What a wonderful actress loved all the different and diversity acting god bless you Pauline and your family I’m watching birds of a feather so funny 😹 you always made me laugh ❤️
Amazing actress. Stay strong, Pauline – thinking of you. Sending a hug…………………….
I had the pleasure of meeting Pauline when see came to film a scene in a film I was in (Distant Voices, Still Lives.) She did two takes both were amazing. She is and was a fantastic actor and deserves all of thoughts and love as she and her family and friends battle this horrible condition. A true class act and national treasure. Thank you for all of the great times you have given.
God bless you my darling 💕 stay strong,
You have a amazing family,
We all love you
Lots of love Nina & family X
I remember watching Pauline in Pauline’s Quirks with Linda Robson.
A very talented lady who dis well in all her roles.
Just sending our love to you and your family at this difficult time. Xx
So very sorry to read this sad news,Pauline and her family. My Aunty has vascular dementia advanced stage not very nice to see a loved one in this way. My thoughts and prayers are with you and to all those people and their friends and family’s having to cope with this illness. God bless you all x
So very sorry to read this sad news, Pauline and her family. My Aunty has vascular dementia advanced stage not very nice to see a loved one in this way. My thoughts and prayers are with you and to all those people and their friends and family’s having to cope with this illness. God bless you all x
Thank you for all the times you made me happy watching you on TV you are an inspiration to all Pauline keep strong and healthy we are all behind you sending hugs and prayers to you and your family always 🙏🤗❤️💯x
Such a funny actress, so sad. I work with dementia patients so know only too well what you are all going through.
Such very sad news about Pauline- it’s a horrible disease! Hopefully they may find a cure of sorts very soon ! You were such a great actress and my thoughts are with you and your family ! Love you Ann in Hull
I looked after my mum for 3 – 4 years after she was diagnosed with alzheimer’s and I don’t regret a day of it, yes it was hard but I was only returning the favour she did me in bringing me up in a safe, warm and incredibly happy environment !. Now that cancer’s no longer the sure-fire killer it was 30,40 years ago I firmly believe that a cure for Alzheimer’s should be the no. 1 target for the country!
I’ve got a sister with mixed dementure,and it’s a terrible, disease and sometimes she is normal.but she is incontinence,a of the time.i love her to bits but sometimes you need help.when she is normal you wouldn’t think she had anything wrong with her.
Hi David, we’re very sorry to hear about your sister’s diagnosis of mixed dementia. If you would like some advice and support around caring for your sister, you can contact Admiral Nurses for practical care advice and medical information on Tel: 0800 888 6678 or email: helpline@dementiauk.org. You can also contact the Alzheimer’s Society as they focus on support services and the care of people with dementia. For the Alzheimer’s Society, you can call 0333 150 3456 or email: dementiasupportline@alzheimers.org.uk. For more organisations that offer support for people affected by dementia, including their carers and families, you can visit: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-information/need-to-know-more/support-for-carers/