Pauline Quirke’s son, Charlie, has shared a fresh update on his mother’s life with dementia during an appearance on Lorraine on Wednesday.
The Birds Of A Feather star, 67, withdrew from public life after receiving a dementia diagnosis in 2021.
Charlie, 31, who has also built a career as an actor, spoke about Pauline’s health while supporting a new campaign for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Asked how his mother is doing, he told Lorraine: “She’s great. Every day is different, it’s part of our journey. We still do as much as we can, we still go out for lunch. I think you’ve seen us down the River Thames on the boat. I made her sit through the West Ham win last night.
“We’ve got such a close family unit that it makes it easier on our journey. But touch wood, she’s happy.”
Lorraine responded warmly, saying: “That’s the main thing, that she’s happy and she’s safe and she feels surrounded by people that love her.”
Pauline Quirke’s son Charlie offered an update on her dementia journey during Wednesday’s edition of Lorraine
The 67-year-old actress stepped back from the spotlight following her dementia diagnosis in 2021
Charlie went on to speak about Alzheimer’s Research UK.
He said: ‘Alzheimer’s Research UK has made this brand campaign, and it’s putting a positive light on something that doesn’t have a lot of positivity around it. We believe somewhere, someone alive today could be the first person to be cured of Alzheimer’s disease.’
The actor has raised around £330,000 and counting to go towards Alzheimer’s research including walking a 150km (93 miles) trek and the London Marathon.
Pauline’s last public appearance saw her proudly receiving an MBE at Windsor Castle in February 2023.
As well as her role in the comedy Birds Of A Feather, Pauline also had roles in Emmerdale, Broadchurch and a Bafta-nominated performance in The Sculptress.
In a statement revealing her diagnosis for the first time, her husband 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.
‘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 people’s progression and interest in the Arts and enhanced their self-confidence.
‘Pauline is perhaps best known as Sharon Theodopolopodous from Birds of a Feather, the hilarious sitcom that ran for nearly 30 years.
‘In drama, her BAFTA-nominated role in The Sculptress was outstanding, as was her role as the mysterious Susan Wright in ITV’s Broadchurch.
Charlie and the rest of ‘Team Quirke’ – which included his fiancée Chloe Thornton and his friend Jack O’Connell – ran the marathon in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK over summer
‘Demonstrating her acting versatility, she also starred or appeared in more than 60 TV and film productions, including Carrie’s War, North and South, Casualty, Cold Blood, Thieving Headmistress, My Family, You, Me and the Apocalypse, and of course Emmerdale.’
He continued: ‘During her epic 50 year career, Pauline has been nominated for many awards, including Best TV Comedy Actress in the British Comedy Awards, Best Newcomer in the British Soap Awards and has received multiple nominations for Most Popular Actress and Most Popular Comedy Performer in the National Television Awards.
‘In 2022, Pauline was awarded an MBE in the late Queen’s final Birthday Honours. It was a heartfelt recognition of her incredible work with young people, her contributions to entertainment, and her dedication to charitable causes.
‘Her acting career has now come to a close, but Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA), with its network of approximately 250 academies and over 15,000 students across the UK, remains robust and will continue to operate as normal in accordance with Pauline’s ideology.
‘Our experienced senior leadership team will maintain the Academies’ success and growth, building on the foundations, ethos and philosophy that Pauline has inspired from the beginning in 2007.
‘We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period.
‘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.
‘We are deeply grateful for the support from her peers, the public, and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA.’
Pauline married her husband Steve in 1996, and they share son Charlie who has followed in his mother’s acting footsteps, and even starred in Birds Of A Feather’s revival in 2014.
The star also has daughter Emily, 40, from a previous relationship.
