British sitcom star Pauline Quirke will step away from acting after being diagnosed with dementia.
Steven Sheen, Quirke's husband, made the announcement, noting that Quirke, 65, who had been diagnosed with the condition in 2021, will no longer participate in professional and commercial activities, according to Deadline.
Quirke has dedicated recent years to The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, which offers young people extracurricular opportunities to explore the performing arts. Founded in 2007, the academy operates at over 200 locations across the U.K. and serves more than 15,000 students, according to The Guardian. In 2022, Quirke was awarded an MBE for her contributions to young people, the entertainment industry, and charity.
Quirke is widely recognized for her portrayal of Sharon Theodopolopodous in the British sitcom "Birds of a Feather." The sitcom originally aired on BBC1 from 1989-98 before being revived by ITV in 2014 for three more seasons, concluding with a Christmas special in 2020.
Quirke did not appear in the final special, marking the end of the series and her on-screen career. Over six decades, Quirke appeared in more than 60 television programs and films, including roles in "Broadchurch," "You, Me and the Apocalypse," "Missing," "Maisie Raine," "Carrie's War," and "Emmerdale."
In his statement, Sheen said he was announcing the news with a "heavy heart."
"We are deeply grateful for the support of her peers, the public and the dedicated staff and Principals at PQA [Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts]," he said. "We kindly request privacy and understanding for Pauline and our family during this difficult period. Pauline just wants to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren."
Quirke and Sheen have pledged their support for Alzheimer's Research UK, partnering with the charity to help raise funds and awareness for dementia.
"We are very proud of what our family friend Scott Mitchell is doing with Alzheimer's Research UK in his late wife Dame Barbara Windsor's name, so, when we feel able, we will also align ourselves with the charity," Sheen said.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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