Linda Robson has opened up about her lifelong friendship with Pauline Quirke as her former Birds Of A Feather co-star continues to live with dementia — a journey that has reshaped their lives but not their bond.
The pair, who first met at primary school at the age of ten, spent decades side by side on stage and screen. But since Pauline’s diagnosis in 2021, the 64-year-old actress has stepped away from acting, leaving Linda to take on roles alone for the first time.
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Despite everything, Linda, 67, insists their connection feels exactly as it always has.
Pauline was forced to retire from pantomime and television work as her condition progressed. Linda recently visited her at home, where Pauline’s husband Steve and their children continue to care for her every day.
Speaking to The Mirror, Linda described a warm and emotional reunion: Pauline’s family welcomed her in before they all went out for a quiet lunch at a local pub.
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Linda, 67, said their bond remains unchanged despite Pauline’s health challenges and recently visited her at home, where Pauline’s family – including her husband Steve and their children – continue to support her daily
“I love her so much,” Linda said, explaining that after 57 years of friendship, nothing has weakened their closeness.
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Reflecting on the visit, Linda added: “We’re all still in touch, and it’s been really nice.”
Despite her dementia, Pauline immediately recognised Linda — something that meant the world to her.
Despite her dementia, Pauline still recognised Linda during the reunion and the pair shared jokes and reminisced about their years on Birds of a Feather
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Linda shared that they joked, talked about old memories from their Birds Of A Feather days, and enjoyed the familiarity they’ve built over nearly six decades. “She was giggling and happy,” Linda said. “She’s being really well looked after, and she did recognise me, which I was really pleased about.”
Pauline’s son Charlie — who starred alongside her in the ITV reboot of their sitcom as Travis Stubbs — now plays a major role in her care. This month, he is taking on a five-day, 140km charity trek to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Linda hopes to join part of the walk if her schedule allows.
Earlier this year, Pauline’s family revealed that she had been living with dementia for four years. And this week, they shared another emotional update: they still don’t know exactly what stage she is in. They take each day as it comes, noting that Pauline is “often still funny, talking and happy.”
Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen, whom she married in 1986, and their son Charlie appeared on BBC Breakfast to speak more openly about their journey.
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Steve recalled the moment they realised something was wrong — in November 2020 — when Pauline struggled to read a script. “She phoned me and said the words weren’t going in. That’s where it started.”
When doctors delivered the diagnosis, the family struggled to believe it. “We looked at each other and said, ‘It can’t be. It’s long Covid, it’s the flu,’” Steve remembered.
Charlie explained that families are often left without clear answers. “That’s the problem — no one tells you,” he said. “My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees us, she smiles, laughs, says ‘I love you’ and ‘hello’.”
Steve added: “We just take each day and try to find the best moment in it. For the first year or two, you think she’s alright. Now, three or four years in, it’s a little different. That’s why awareness is so important — you don’t know how long it lasts or how quickly it progresses.”
Charlie concluded that Pauline’s condition “changes every day” and the family is “forever learning”.
