Birds Of A Feather's Pauline Quirke diagnosed with dementia as she steps away from acting

ok.co.uk:

Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia, her husband Steve Sheen announced today.The 65 year old actress, known for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the original series and its revival between 2014 and 2017, is set to "step away from all commercial and professional duties" to spend time with her family.

Pauline, who also starred in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and The Sculptress, won the Best TV Comedy Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards in 1990 for her role in Birds of a Feather, originally on BBC One.

She, along with Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph, reprised their roles when the sitcom returned - this time to ITV - in 2014 However, Pauline will now take a break from acting across TV, film and stage.

In the statement, 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." TV producer Steve, who married Pauline in 1996, also praised his partner's versatility in his poignant statement, noting she had played comedic characters, loyal heroes and powerful matriarchs over the decades.