Linda Robson has spoken about her long-standing friendship with Pauline Quirke as her former Birds Of A Feather co-star continues to live with dementia.
The actresses, who met at primary school at the age of ten, enjoyed decades working together on stage and screen, but Pauline has now stepped away from acting due to her diagnosis in 2021.
Linda, 67, said their bond remains unchanged despite Pauline’s health challenges.
Pauline, 64, was forced to retire from pantomime and television work after her condition progressed, leaving Linda to take on roles alone for the first time.
Linda recently visited her at home, where Pauline’s family – including her husband Steve and their children – continue to support her daily.
Speaking to The Mirror, she described being welcomed by relatives before they all headed to a local pub for a private lunch.
Linda Robson has spoken about her long-standing friendship with Pauline Quirke as her former Birds Of A Feather co-star continues to live with dementia
The actresses, who met at primary school at the age of ten, enjoyed decades working together on stage and screen, but Pauline has now stepped away from acting due to her diagnosis in 2021
‘I love her so much,’ she said, noting they had been inseparable for 57 years.
Reflecting on the visit, she said: ‘We’re all still in touch and we were all still friends and it’s been really nice.’
Despite her dementia, Pauline still recognised Linda during the reunion and was in good spirits.
Linda said the pair shared jokes and reminisced about their years on Birds Of A Feather.
She added: ‘She was giggling and happy. She’s being really well looked after and she did recognise me, which I was really pleased with as well. She’s doing well.’
Pauline’s son Charlie, who appeared with her in the ITV reboot of their sitcom as Travis Stubbs, Tracey’s son has taken on a central role in her care.
He is preparing for a five-day charity 140km trek this month to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK, with Linda hoping to join part of the walk if her schedule allows.
Back in January it was revealed that Pauline had been living with dementia for four years.
Linda, 67, said their bond remains unchanged despite Pauline’s health challenges and recently visited her at home, where Pauline’s family – including her husband Steve and their children – continue to support her daily
Despite her dementia, Pauline still recognised Linda during the reunion and the pair shared jokes and reminisced about their years on Birds of a Feather
Earlier this week Pauline’s family shared a heartbreaking update about her dementia battle as she continues to fight with the condition.
Her loved ones have now shared how they are unsure of the exact stage of the disease Pauline is at, admitting they are taking things one day at a time, although she is often ‘still funny, talking and happy’.
Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen who she married in 1986 – and their son Charlie – appeared on BBC Breakfast and shared how they were initially in ‘disbelief’ about her diagnosis.
Steve reflected on the moment they realised Pauline was struggling, which was back in November 2020.
It was during a time where she found it difficult to read a script. He shared: ‘She started reading it and she phoned me on that day and said, the words are not going in. That’s where it started.’
Steve also spoke about the moment they received the news from doctors.
‘We looked at each other and went, “Can’t be, it’s long Covid. Got the flu”,’ he recalled.
Meanwhile Charlie explained how the family don’t know what stage she is at in her diagnosis.
Pauline’s husband Steve and their son Charlie (who is embarking on a five-day fundraising trek for Alzheimer’s Research UK) have previously shared how they were initially in ‘disbelief’ about the diagnosis
He said: ‘That’s the problem, no one tells you. My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees all of us, she smiles, laughs, says “I love you”, says “hello”.’
Steve then added: ‘Unfortunately, we are not in the state where we can do much about it. Just take every day and try and take the best moment out of that day you can.
‘It’s so gradual that for the first year, two years, you’re thinking, “Ah, she’s alright”.
‘Now, we’re three or four years in, it’s a little bit different. This is why awareness is important. We didn’t know how long it lasts or how long you have with it, or how bad it is or how quick it is.’
Charlie concluded that her illness ‘progresses and changes every day’ and they are ‘forever learning’
