PAULINE Quirke looked happy and healthy as she received her MBE from the Prince of Wales after being diagnosed with dementia.
The Birds Of A Feather star was awarded the prestigous honour months after being secretly diagnosed with the terrible disease.
Today, her husband said in a heartbreaking public statement: “It is with a heavy heart tht I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to step back from all professional and commercial duties to due to her diagnosis.”
After sharing her vast career achievments, Steve continued: “Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren.”
The private star became a Member of the Order of the British Empire when she was announced in the honours list in 2022.
She looked overjoyed as she met Prince William in February 2023 to pick up her silver cross, for her services to young people, the entertainment industry and charity.
Pauline starred in 12 series and two Christmas specials of Birds of a Feather alongside Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph, and was the first cast member to be honoured by the Royal Family.
[boxout headline=”Pauline’s husband releases shock statement”]In a statement revealing her diagnosis , her husband Steve 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 perhaps best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous from 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.
“Demonstrating her acting versatility, she also starred or appeared in more than 60 TV and film productions, including Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, 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 TV Comedy Actress in the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer in the British Soap Awards and has received multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Comedy Performer in the National Television Awards.
“In 2022, Pauline was awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s final Birthday Honours. 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 Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (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.
“We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period.
“For the time being we will not be engaging in interviews or making further statements, since 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.”
The popular TV star beamed wearing a black coat, leather boots and a net fascinator as the Prince of Wales placed his arm on her shoulder to congratulate her.
There were no signs of her hidden health battle as she posed with her MBE outside Windsor Castle.
Just one year before, it was revealed Pauline had missed the Birds of a Feather Christmas special because she wanted to step away from the limelight.
Her decision to miss the reunion sparked rumours of a feud with Linda Robson, 66, who had played Tracey Stubbs since 1989.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Linda Robson breaks silence on Pauline Quirke for first time since feud was revealed as she talks ‘nasty character'” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6257234736001″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Linda said at the time: “People say Pauline and I have fallen out. Obviously I couldn’t see her during lockdown but I’ve seen her since.
“She just doesn’t want to act anymore. She’s had enough – it’s long hours.”
Pauline and Linda were childhood best friends.
The Londoners met at Islington’s Anna Scher Theatre School in the late Sixties and first appeared on TV together in Pauline’s Quirkes in the mid-Seventies.
Pauline has also starred in Emmerdale from 2010 to 2012, and appeared in ITV crime drama Broadchurch.
Pauline had been busy in recent years focusing on her work with The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, which she set up while Birds of a Feather was off-air.
