It has been announced the Pauline Quirke, most famous for starring as Sharon in the long-running sitcom Birds of a Feather, has dementia and is retiring from acting.

Her husband Steve Sheen issued a statement: ""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. Her diagnosis was not made public at the time. 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)." 

Quirke was one of the alumnae of Anna Scher's stage school in Islington which gave young working class children the chance to perform. Others who came through the same school include Phil Daniels, Kathy Burke and Gary Kemp. 

Birds of a Feather ran from 1989 to 1998 on BBC One, and then was revived on ITV from 2014 to 2020.

Quirke was also an acclaimed straight actor. She was nnominated for a Bafta for playing convicted murderer Olive Martin in BBC drama The Sculptress and starred in the drama series Down to Earth in 2002 and the detective drama Maisie Raine. She also appeared in Broadchurch and Emmerdale. 

Buy Birds of a Feather here.