Linda Robson breaks silence on Pauline Quirke's dementia diagnosis


Linda Robson breaks silence on Pauline Quirke

UPDATED: 27 January 2025 Linda Robson has broken her silence on 'best friend' Pauline Quirke's dementia diagnosis in a heart-wrenching Instagram statement on Sunday. Pauline's husband Steve Sheen revealed on Monday that the star, 65, is set to 'step away from all commercial and professional duties,' following a dementia diagnosis in 2021. Linda, who started in Birds Of A Feather with Pauline, wrote: 'This will be the only time I speak on behalf of my best friend, Pauline. 'For the past three years, I’ve been in close contact with her husband, Steve, and have spent time with Pauline. 'It breaks my heart to see her endure such a terrible illness. Out of respect for her family and her privacy, I will not be discussing this matter further. Linda x' Pauline starred on Birds Of A Feather alongside Linda and Lesley Joseph from 1988 to 1999, and in a revival from 2014-2017. Linda and Pauline were met with rumours of a falling out after the latter was missing from the Birds Of A Feather Christmas special back in 2020. The duo have been friends for more than 50 years and starred together in 12 series and two Christmas specials of Birds of a Feather. Speculation of their rift was first reported back in 2021 after it was revealed the pair were no longer on speaking terms. While Linda has shut down rumours of any past feuds, The Mail on Sunday first revealed that a seemingly irreparable rift had developed between Pauline and Linda, whose bond once helped cement their reputation as among the UK's most popular double acts. Insiders said there had been 'real and tense issues' which resulted in Pauline refusing to take part in the 30th anniversary show, which aired in 2019. At the same time, Linda grew closer to co-star Lesley, who plays man-eating neighbour Dorien Green, and the pair reportedly decided not to ask Pauline to take part in 2020's Christmas special. The fall-out seemingly marked an end to Pauline's much-loved character of Sharon, whose absence was explained by the character heading off on a cruise. It was alleged in 2021 that matters became so heated at one point that the childhood friends had to be separated by crew members during filming at Teddington Studios in West London.