Actor Pauline Quirke has announced she is stepping back from public life after being diagnosed with dementia. The Birds of a Feather star’s husband, Steve Sheen, issued a statement saying that his wife would be stepping back from public life.
He said: ” It is with a heavy heart that I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to step back from all professional and commercial duties due to her diagnosis of dementia in 2021.Pauline has been an inspiration through her work in the film and TV industry, her charity endeavours and as the founder of the very successful Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA).
“Her talent, dedication, and vision have touched countless lives and will continue to do so through the legacy of her work and through PQA where her vision and guidance has facilitated many young peoples’ progression and interest in the arts and enhanced their self-confidence.”
Pauline is best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous from Birds of a Feather, the sitcom that ran for nearly 30 years. She also appeared in more than 60 TV and film productions, including Broadchurch, The Sculptress, Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, Cold Blood, Thieving Headmistress, My Family, You, Me and the Apocalypse, and Emmerdale.
During her 50 year career, Pauline has been nominated for numerous awards and was awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s final Birthday Honours.
Steve said: “It was a heartfelt recognition of her incredible work with young people, her contributions to entertainment, and her dedication to charitable causes.
“Her acting career has now come to a close, but PQA, with its network of approximately 250 academies and over 15,000 students across the UK, remains robust and will continue to operate as normal in accordance with Pauline’s ideology. Our experienced senior leadership team will maintain the academies’ success and growth, building on the foundations, ethos and philosophy that Pauline has inspired from the beginning in 2007.”
He added: ” Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren. We are deeply grateful for the support from her peers, the public, and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA.”