Actress Lesley Joseph has spoken about her Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke’s dementia diagnosis during an interview on Good Morning Britain on Valentine’s Day

Veteran actress Lesley Joseph has broken her silence on former Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke’s recent dementia diagnosis.

The comic actress, aged 79, was chatting to Good Morning Britain hosts Robert Rinder and Charlotte Hawkins about her dating advice for single women over the age of fifty when Charlotte asked her about Pauline’s diagnosis.

“I have to say what a wonderful actress she is,” replied Lesley. “And what joy she has given. Not just in Birds of A Feather but in The Sculptress where she was really scary, and in Broadchurch and Emmerdale, I take my hat off to Pauline. She’s amazing.”

Lesley spoke about Pauline on GMB ( 
Image:
ITV)
“I won’t talk about her at the moment with her illness because that’s private,” she added. “I lived through dementia with my mum, who lived to nearly 104 and in her nineties she was still playing tennis and she was so full of life as she got older, she was an amazing character.”

Pauline’s dementia diagnosis was revealed at the end of January. Her husband Steve Sheen released a statement in which he 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.”

The statement continued: “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’s family requested privacy, adding: “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.”

Lesley costarred with Pauline and Linda Robson in Birds of a Feather ( 
Image:
ITV)
Since the announcement, Pauline’s other Birds of a Feather co-star Linda Robson has opened up about her close friend. In an interview with Express.co.uk, she said: “”I have noticed a real difference with her; she doesn’t remember her grandchildren, so she’s not going to remember who I am even though we’ve been friends 56 years. It really is sad.”

She also shared an Instagram post, saying: “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.”

Pauline, Linda and Lesley appeared in the BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather from 1989 until 1998, and it was then revived by ITV and new episodes were made between 2014 and 2020. Pauline and Linda played sisters who were brought together when their husbands were sent to prison for armed robbery, while Lesley was their next door neighbour Dorien.