LINDA Robson has revealed how she plans to support her best friend Pauline Quirke, after breaking down in tears over her dementia battle.
Last month actress Pauline‘s husband Steve Sheen revealed she would be stepping back from her 50-year career due to the syndrome.
The Birds of a Feather co-stars have been close since they were ten years old.
Linda, 66, was comforted on Loose Women last month, as the panel discussed their memories of the actress after her shock diagnosis was revealed.
And last week, Pauline’s friend issued an update on her battle, saying she’s ‘struggling to identity her family members.’
Speaking to The Sun on Monday evening, at the TV Choice Awards, devastated Linda shared an update on how she plans to support her friend.
She told us: “I haven’t seen Pauline in person but I’ve seen her on FaceTime.”
Linda revealed that she’d been keeping in the loop with what’s going on by regularly FaceTiming Pauline’s husband.
She added: “Steve has said that I can go and see her next week, so that’s what I’ll do.
“It’s about taking everything slowly for her really.”
Linda also said at the awards: “It’s very sad. We’ve been best friends since we were ten. I’ve known [about the diagnosis] for three years and we’ve managed to keep it quiet.
“She doesn’t know who anybody is.
“She doesn’t know who I am or who her kids are. Dementia is terrible – I’d rather get cancer, because at least then you’ve got a chance.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Linda Robson reveals heartbreaking reason why Pauline Quirke stepped out of the limelight before tragic dementia diagnosis” 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=”6367446616112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Linda continued: “My mum had it [dementia] as well. One in two people now get dementia, it’s a lot of people.
“When my mum was in a hospice, we’d get there and she’d recognise us for a second and that was completely gone. It’s the worst thing, it really really is.”
And Linda insisted that she’ll never do another episode of Birds of a Feather as it “wouldn’t be the same without Pauline”.
They starred together in Birds of a Feather as Sharon Theodopolopodous and Tracey Stubbs.
Earlier this year it was announced that Pauline is stepping down from her professional duties after being diagnosed with dementia.
Her husband Steve Sheen issued a statement which read: “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.”
