Lesley Joseph, 79, breaks silence on Pauline Quirke dementia battle as she pays tribute to ‘amazing’ Birds of a Feather co-star
Lesley Joseph, 79, has reflected on her own personal family experiences with dementia after being asked about Pauline Quirke’s battle with the illness.
Quirke, 65, was diagnosed with the illness back in 2021 but her husband Steve Sheen announced the news this year as he confirmed her decision to step back from acting.
Birds of a Feather star Linda Robson has spoken out since the news, including a tearful appearance on ITV panel show Loose Women.
And on Friday, fellow co-star Joseph also spoke out about her friend’s health battle, praising the actress for her work over the decades.
Joseph was on ITV breakfast show Good Morning Britain to encourage singletons over 50 to get back into dating when she was asked about Quirke.
“I have to say what a wonderful actress she is and what joy she has given,” Joseph replied.
She continued: “Not just in Birds of A Feather but in The Sculptress where she was really scary, and in Broadchurch and Emmerdale, I just really take my hat off to Pauline Quirke. She’s amazing.”
However, Joseph refused to give away more intimate details about Quirke’s battle with the illness.
“I won’t talk about her at the moment with her illness because that’s private,” she remarked.
“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, it was all there she was an amazing character.”
Joseph’s statement comes just days after Robson admitted Quirke no longer recognises her as the illness develops.
“I have noticed a real difference with her,” Robson told Express at the TV Choice Awards this week. “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,” Robson commented.
Robson’s revelation comes after she admitted she’d been in close contact with Quirke over the past three years since her diagnosis.
In her only Instagram post about her pal, Robson wrote: “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.”
First announcing the news, Quirke’s husband 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.
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“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.
“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.”