Linda Robson has revealed the heartbreaking moment she discovered that her longtime friend and Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke had dementia.
The Loose Women star shared that she first realised "something wasn't right" with Pauline during a lunch in 2022 with their fellow co-star Lesley Joseph.
The 66-year-old actress has known about her friend's condition for three years but kept it secret until Quirke's husband Steve decided to make it public.
The revelation comes after what Robson described as "a s**t old year so far" and added to Bella magazine: "I hadn't spoken to her for a little while, and I kept wondering why she hadn't returned my calls.
"Eventually, Steve phoned me back. Lesley and I went for lunch with her, and that's when we realised something wasn't right with her, and that was three years ago."
The actress managed to keep Pauline's diagnosis confidential at the family's request and continued: "I've known for the last three years that she wasn't well. I managed to keep it a secret. It was very important that I did because it was up to her family when it was time for them to let everyone know."
Linda Robson knew there was something a miss with her friend
PA
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Quirke's condition has deteriorated to the point where she no longer recognises her former co-stars, which has left Robson saddened but happy she still gets to speak to her friend.
"I've been speaking to her on FaceTime. She doesn't know who I am, but it's just nice to be there, remembering the old days and the fun we had," she said.
Despite the heartbreaking development, Robson continues to maintain contact with her friend of over 50 years and assured that Quirke is "being well looked after" by her family.
When Quirke's husband released his statement, Robson was quick to make one of her own on Instagram and stated: "This will be the only time I speak on behalf of my best friend, Pauline.
The star's husband revealed her diagnosis after three years
PA
"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. Linda x," she signed off.
Co-star Joseph also briefly touched on the devastating news and told Good Morning Britain: "I have to say what a wonderful actress she is and what joy she has given.
"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.
"I won't talk about her at the moment with her illness because that's private. 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."
Quirke, 65, is best known for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in Birds of a Feather, which aired for nearly three decades.
Pauline's co-star issued brief statements after the news was announced
ITV
Due to her diagnosis, Robson has ruled out any further filming of Birds of a Feather without Quirke, with the Loose Women panelist opening up about her personal experience with dementia.
She said: "They say one in two people get dementia, and my mum had dementia, so I've been surrounded by all my life. Back in the day, they wouldn't have known what dementia was. They would have thought you were just a dotty old woman. But at least now, there is more awareness."
