PAULINE Quirke is retiring from professional duties after being diagnosed with dementia, her husband has said.
The actress, 65, starred in Birds of a Feather, The Sculptress and Broadchurch during a glittering 50-year career.
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Pauline Quirke, MBE, as she shares the news of Pauline’s decision to retire from all professional and commercial duties due to her diagnosis of dementia in 2021.
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Pauline Quirke receives an MBE from Prince William in 2022. Credit: PA
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Pauline had a glittering career in television and film Credit: Alamy
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Pauline and her husband Steve
She was also awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s last birthday honors in 2022, receiving the award from Prince William at Buckingham Palace.
A statement from her husband Steve Sheen said: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to retire 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 work and as the founder of the highly successful Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA).
“Her talent, dedication and vision touched countless lives and will continue to do so through the legacy of her work and through PQA where her vision and leadership enabled many young people’s interest in the arts to progress and increase their confidence.”
Pauline played Sharon Theodopolopodous in Birds of a Feather, which ran on BBC and then ITV for almost 30 years.
She was also BAFTA nominated for her roles in The Sculptress and ITV’s Broadchurch.
Pauline has appeared in over 60 TV and film appearances in total, including Emmerdale and Casualty.
During her career, she was nominated for Best Actress in a TV Comedy at the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards and had multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Actress in a Comedy at the National Television Awards.
After leaving acting, the actress launched the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts.
The academy now has 250 places with 15,000 students across the UK.
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Her work with aspiring actors and her contributions to charity led to an MBE.
The actress looked overjoyed as she met William as he presented her with an MBE for her services to young people, the entertainment industry and charities.
She looked amazing in a chic black coat, leather boots and a mesh hat.
Pauline also beamed when the Prince of Wales put a hand on her shoulder to congratulate her.
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 commended for taking the brave decision to go public with her diagnosis, which will not only give them more freedom, but also raise such vital awareness of the condition.
“We are so grateful that Pauline and Steve have pledged to support our work when the time comes. We look forward to working with them to further raise dementia awareness and research funding.”
Full statement from Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to retire 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 work and as the founder of the highly successful Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA).
“Her talent, dedication and vision touched countless lives and will continue to do so through the legacy of her work and through PQA where her vision and leadership enabled many young people’s interest in the arts to progress and increase their confidence.
“Pauline is perhaps best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous on Birds of a Feather, the hilarious sitcom that ran for nearly 30 years.
“In drama, her BAFTA-nominated role in The Sculptress was outstanding, as was her role as the mysterious Susan Wright in ITV’s Broadchurch.
“Showing off his acting versatility, she also acted or appeared in more than 60 TV and film productions, incl Carrie’s War, North and South, The Sacrifice, Cold Blood, Thieving Headmistress, My Family, You, Me and the Apocalypse, and of course Emmerdale.
“During her epic 50-year career, Pauline has been nominated for many awards including Best Actress in a TV Comedy at the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer at the British Soap Awards and received multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Actress in a Comedy at the National Television Awards awards (NTA).
“In 2022, Pauline was awarded an MBE at the late Queen’s last birthday honours.
“It was a heartfelt tribute to her incredible work with young people, her contribution to entertainment and her commitment to charitable causes.
“Her acting career has now come to an end, but PQA, with its network of approximately 250 academies and over 15,000 students across the UK, remains strong and will continue to operate as normal in line with Pauline’s ideology.
“Our experienced senior management team will maintain the success and growth of the Academy, building on the foundation, ethos and philosophy inspired by Pauline since its inception in 2007.
We ask for the privacy and understanding of Pauline and our family during this difficult time.
“For now, we will not give interviews or make further statements, because Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren.
“We are deeply grateful for the support of her colleagues, the public and the dedicated staff and directors at PQA.”
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Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders (above) with Pauline and Linda Robson pose with their noses during the filming of the Birds of a Feather skit in 1991. Credit: Getty
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Pauline receives her MBE from WilliamCredit: PA
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Pauline was awarded an MBE for services to young people, the entertainment industry and charities in the Queen’s Birthday Honors list Credit: PA
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