She is best known for playing the character Sharon Theodopolopodous on the long-running sitcom Birds of a Feather.
Quirke has been featured in many TV shows throughout her career, including Broadchurch, Emmerdale, The Sculptress, Skins, Cold Blood, and Maisie Raine.
A statement from her husband Steve Sheen 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.
We are deeply saddened to hear that actress Pauline Quirke has been diagnosed with dementia.
Her husband Steve Sheen said that the Birds of a Feather star, 65, was diagnosed in 2021 and is stepping away from acting after a glittering 50-year career.
We’re sending our best… pic.twitter.com/9P5YuC5mLr
— Alzheimer’s Research UK (@AlzResearchUK) January 21, 2025
“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.”
The career of Pauline Quirke
Throughout her career, Quirke was nominated for Best TV Comedy Actress in the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer in the British Soap Awards and had multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Comedy Performer at the National Television Awards.
She was also nominated for BAFTAs for her roles in The Sculptress and ITV’s Broadchurch, as reported by The Sun.
Outside of her acting, she set up The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts in 2007, which opened at various locations around the UK.
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The academy now has 250 sites with 15,000 students.
Her work with aspiring actors and contributions to charitable causes saw her awarded an MBE in 2022.
The actress looked overjoyed when she met Prince William as he gave her the MBE for her services to young people, the entertainment industry and charity.
