Lesley Joseph, 79, says ‘my time is limited’ as she opens up on health amid co-star Pauline Quirke dementia diagnosis
Lesley Joseph has opened up about life after Birds of a Feather, candidly reflecting on her mortality and career as she approaches her 80th birthday.
The actress, who became a household name as the flamboyant Dorien Green, has made peace with the fact that her time in the entertainment industry may be drawing to a close.
“At my age, I don’t know how much longer I have left in the business,” Joseph confessed in a recent interview with Woman’s Own. Despite this acknowledgement, she maintains her characteristic optimism, adding: “I’m still ambitious, but I know my time is limited.”
Joseph found fame after decades of acting when she stepped into the high heels of Dorien Green – a role that made her a TV icon.
The original run of Birds of a Feather ended in 1998 before being revived by ITV in 2014 and finally cancelled in 2021.
Looking back, Lesley admits the end came at the right time. “It came as a relief,” she said candidly. “I wouldn’t have wanted to see Dorien with a zimmer frame.”
She’s made peace with leaving the character behind for good.
“I’ve laid her to rest now,” Joseph added, though she admits being boxed in by her most famous role can be frustrating.
Despite turning 80 later this year, Joseph credits her long-lasting career to her ability to adapt and take on varied roles.
She remains optimistic about the changing landscape of television, noting: “There’s been a renaissance of older women on screen recently.”
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Joseph’s approach to aging has been influenced by her mother, who lived to nearly 104.
“My mum was dancing until she was 96 and only stopped playing badminton when she was 90,” she shared.
To maintain her vitality, Lesley follows a disciplined routine.
She “walks everywhere,” practices yoga regularly, prioritises rest, and keeps up with her vitamins.
“Exercising both physically and mentally is key,” she explained.
Fans hoping for a Birds of a Feather revival recently received a definitive answer from co-star Linda Robson.
She confirmed that the show will not be returning following Pauline Quirke’s retirement from acting after a dementia diagnosis.
Speaking on Loose Women: The Podcast, Robson stated: “No, it’s not going to come back. Because of Pauline, she’s not going to work again now.”
Despite the diagnosis, Robson shared some positive news about her former co-star.
“Charlie [Pauline’s son] rang me and just said she is doing really, really well at the moment,” Linda revealed.
“Sometimes she has down days, but at the moment she is quite up about everything.”