Linda Robson has detailed the heartbreaking moment she discovered best friend Pauline Quirke had dementia and “something wasn’t right” – as she admitted it had been an awful start to the year.
Pauline, 65, starred alongside Linda and Lesley Joseph in the sitcom Birds of A Feather. But when the three met for lunch in 2022 it became apparent that Pauline had changed and since then her memory has deteriorated. She no longer recognises Linda or Lesley.
Speaking about her close friend, Linda said: “We managed to keep it quiet until her husband, Steve, decided it was time to release a statement. I’m going to see her next week. She’s got a good family around her kids and her husband, so she’s being well looked after. I’ve been speaking to her on FaceTime. She doesn’t know who I am but it’s just nice to be there remembering the old days and the fun we had.
“They say one in two people get dementia, and my mum had dementia, so I’ve been surrounded by all my life. Back in the day, they wouldn’t have known what dementia was. They would have thought you were just a dotty old woman. But at least now, there is more awareness.”
Pauline is best known for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the sitcom Birds of a Feather, which aired for nearly three decades where she starred alongside Linda and Lesley.
Turning to discuss when she found out Pauline was unwell, Linda told Bella magazine: “I’ve known for the last three years that she wasn’t well. I managed to keep it a secret. It was very important that I did, because it was up to her family when it was time for them to let everyone know, Steve was taking her away a lot, just to get her out of the country.
“I hadn’t spoken to her for a little while, and I kept wondering why she hadn’t returned my calls. Eventually, Steve phoned me back Lesley(Jospeh) and I went for lunch with her, and that’s when we realised something wasn’t right with her, and that was three years ago.”
Linda was seen out at the TV Choice awards last month and has also been seen enjoying girlie nights out with Ruth Langsford and Vanessa Feltz. She admitted: “It’s been nice to get out of the house, because it’s been a sh*t old year so far, what with Pauline and Paul Danan(actor who died) but hopefully things will get better. I loved Paul. He was such a good boy he really was.”
Linda worked with Paul Danan on several TV projects including Coach Trip. He died in January.
In January a statement from Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen announced that she had been diagnosed with the illness in December 2021. He stated that “with a heavy heart” he was announcing the 65-year-old actress had withdrawn from all professional and commercial activities, but her nationwide performing arts academy would continue to operate in line with her beliefs.
As well as Birds of a Feather, Pauline was also nominated for BAFTAs for her roles in The Sculptress and ITV’s Broadchurch. In total, Pauline appeared in more than 60 TV and films, including Emmerdale and Casualty.
Dementia manifests differently in different people and comes in various forms. However, according to the NHS, there are some common early signs that may emerge before a dementia diagnosis. These include difficulty concentrating, struggling with daily tasks, having trouble following conversations or finding the right words, confusion about time and place, and mood changes. The NHS website states: “These symptoms are often mild and may get worse only very gradually.”
It further explains, “It’s often termed ‘mild cognitive impairment’ MCI as the symptoms are not severe enough to be diagnosed as dementia.”LINDA Robson has detailed the heartbreaking moment she discovered best friend Pauline Quirke had dementia
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